Foot  Prints 

ON  THE  Sands  of  Time 

— BY  Dr.  a.  B  Cox 


*  ^ 


i;f)e  iLibrarp 

of  tf)e 

®nJbergitpDfi5orti)Carolina 


Collection  of  iSortt)  Caroliniana 


v*'^. 


UNIVERSITY  OF  N.C.  AT  CHAPEL  HILL 

00032761119 


FOR  USE  ONLY  IN 
THE  NORTH  CAROLINA  COLLECTION 


wVi  Hi... ".  -»_,i  "v-;»-  -y 


Form  No.  A-368 


FOOT    PRINTS 

ON 
THE  SANDS  OF  TIME, 

A  History  of  .   .  . 

South-western  Virginia 

and 

North-western    North  Carolina. 

By 
DR   A.  B  COX. 


The  Star  Pub.  Co.  Print,  Sparta,  N.  C  , 
Aug.  1900. 


INDEX  TO  CONTENTS. 


How  this  Country  was  Settled 

11-27 

South-western  Virginia. 

Montgomery,  Pulaski,  Wythe,  Smith 

27-31 

Carroll 

31-40 

Floyd 

40-50 

Grayson 

50-76 

North  WESTERN  North  Carolina. 

Alleghany 

76-104 

Ashe 

104-131 

Surry 

131-136 

Watauga 

136-148 

Battle  of  King's  Mountain 

148-151 

Dr.  Aras.  B.  Cox  and  Family 

151-162 

INTRODUCT 


In  the  introduction  of  biographical  and 
descriptive  sketches  of  SoutH -western  Vir- 
/jiniaand  North-western  North,  Carohoa  we 
are  assured  ihere  are  many  incidents conne-ct- 
ed  with  the  early  settlements  of  the  country 
of  thrilling  interest  worthy  a  place  in  the  rec- 
ords of  history.  The  perils  of  hfe  in  a  wild, 
Indian  country,  the  hardships  and  toil  en- 
r^ured  by  ancestors  and  these  who  sought  for 
homes  free  from  tyranny  and  oppression: 
from  the  love  of  Uberty  and  justicp,  imbibing 
sentiments  of  self-sacrifice  and  heroic  firm- 
ness in  mef  ting  the  incidents  common  to  bor- 
der I'fe,  with  forest-  on  one  side  and  savages 
on  the  other,  slu  11  their  patriotic  love  of  home 
and  country  and  principle  s  they  cherished  for 


the  prosperity  and  happiness  of  lineal  de- 
cendants  and  futuregenerations  be  forgotten? 
Never  I  Princ'ples  cannot  die;  they  will  live 
and  live  on,  to  preserve  a  record  of  the  discov- 
ery of  An:; erica  and  1  adinsr  events  of  planting 
colonies  and  extending  Christian  civilization 
over  tJiis  highly  favored  land,  ard  especially 
ancestors  and  pioneer  settlers  of  the  conn  try — 
of  which  th^'s  is  the  special  history — whose 
lives  and  labors  embalmed  in  sacred  memory 
that  ihose  who  now  or  hereafter  live  in  state- 
ly mansions  or  beautiful  farm  dweUings, 
adorned  by  beaufful  shad-3  trees,  and  with 
lawns  of  grass  around  the  houses  of  comfort 
and  enjoyment,  the  present  and  future  gener- 
ations may  read  with  greatfulappreciation the 
history  of  the  lives  and  labors  of  those  who, 
in  the  fear  of  Ocd  and  love  of  humanity, 
helped  to  plant  the  tree  of  liberty,  and  nour- 
ished it  with  prayers  and  watered  it  with 
tears. 

In  these  biographical  sketches  there  are 
many  who,  at  a  more  recent  date,  became 
citizens  and  residents  w!io    have  contributed 


to  their  coiinU\y"s  prosperity  rncl  happiness 
that  we  have  not  been  able  to  record  from 
the  limits  of  this  volume.  But  there  are 
many  now  living  in  this  highly  favored  coun 
try  enjoying  the  blessings  of  home  and  happi- 
ness, we  have  especially  referred  to,  possess- 
ing talent,  statesmanship  and  patriotic  love 
of  home  and  country,  under  a  governuient 
that  administers  justice  to  all  its  subjects 
upon  wiiom  this  great  nation  is  dependant  to 
assist  in  protecting  their  rights,  and  perpetua- 
ting, sustaining  and  preserving  in  their  pris- 
tine 23urity,  the  principles  of  government  con- 
tained in  the  Declaration  of  Independence  and 
constitution  of  the  United  States,  in  framing 
one  of  the  best  superstructures  of  civil  gov- 
ernment ever  erected  by  the  wisdom  and  ge- 
nius of  man.  If  this  history"  perpetuates  the 
names  and  records,  the  lives  and  noble  deeds 
of  ancestors  and  other  early  settlers  who, 
through  privation,  hardships,  toils  and  perse- 
verance, have  changed  this  great  country 
whxch  lay  slumbering  through  the  ages  of  the 
past  from  a  wild,  Indian,  savage    state    to    a 


christian    civiliza  ion  of  intelligent,    ivfined, 
enlighten^  d  population. 

K  we  hav^e  recovered  from  oblivion,  the 
name  and  I'fe  of  any  person  or  persons  that 
will  give  comfort  or  cbeer  the  living;  if  we 
have  presented  the  1  ves  and  labors  of  the 
honored  dead  whol»-ft  examples  to  the  world — 
a  richer  legacy  ihan  gold  or  silver— to  be  fol- 
lowed to  obtain  the  greatest  blessings  and 
sacred  enjoy m«-nt  of  life  on  earth  and  bright- 
est hopes  of  an  inheritance  in  Heaven.  If  ihis 
history,  however  unique  it  may  be,  shall  en- 
courage somr  dear  boy  or  girl,  yourg  man  or 
young  lady  to  honor,  comfort  and  rejoice  the 
heart  of  a  kind  father  and  affectionate  mother: 
if  this  book  sha'l  add  one  particle  toward  ad- 
vanc'ng  the  Redeemer's  Kingdom  on  ejrjh 
and  impress  the  mind  and  heart  with  the  ob- 
ligation that  is  high  as  Heaven  and  lasting  as 
E'erni'y  which  we  are  under  to  honor,  love 
and  serve  God  for  our  good  and  His  glory, — 
if  any  of  these  objects  are  obtained  we  shall 
believe  our  labor  not  in  vain.  *  *  *  "VYe 
pres»^nt  this  book  to  you,  kind  reader,  as  a 
t'-ibute  of  love  to  our  native  country  and  t^e 
affection  to  its  worthy  people. 

The  Author. 


Prof.  Brown's  Recoitimendatioii- 


We  have  examined  ? ome  of  the  manu- 
scripts prepared  by  Dr.  A.  B.  Cox  for  a  his- 
tory. Tlio  work  has  required  much  labor, 
care  and  patient  research  and  contains  many 
things  of  deep  interest  i  elating  to  the  discov- 
ery of  America  and  early  settlements  of  the 
country,  and  especially  South-western  Vir- 
ginia and  North  western  North  Cafolina,  of 
w^hich  this  is  the  historv-  The  patriotic  lovd 
of  home  and  country  free  from  unjust  bur- 
thens of  taxation  and  tyranny  characterized 
the  earh^  settler  of  this  country.  Their  toils, 
privations  and  hardships  are  carefully  de- 
tailed in  this  work  The  history  gives  accu- 
rate account  of  ancestors'  lives  that  will  be 
interesting  to  their  lineal  decendants,  and 
show^s  the  great  change  in  the  past  and  pres- 
ent condition  of  things.  The  advancement 
from  lower  to  higher  degrees  has  marked  the 
divine  economy  in  every  department  of  its 
reign. 

This  history  will  give  a  statement  of  the 
lives  of  those  Avho,  in  the  past  and  present, 
have  and  are  c  jntributing  to  the  good  of  their 
country.  We  cheerfully  recommend  it  as  a 
history  worthy  a  place  in  every  family  libra- 
ry to  perpetuate  the  memory  of  the  sacred 
de^d  and  worthy  living  who  appreciate  their 
homes  in  this  highly  favored  land  with  an  en 
lightened  population,  institutions  of  learning, 
refined  society,    churches    and    other  chiis 


tian  institutions  that  should 
those  who  hve  afterwards  to  emulatethei'lus- 
triousdead  ard  in  gratitude  to  God,  the  giver 
of  every  good  arid  perfect  gift,  and  preserve, 
unimpaired,  the  priceless  heritage  bequeathed 
us  by  the  wisdom  and  genius  of  the  founders 
of  our  civil  and  religious  liberties. 

S.  W.  BOWN, 
Prin.  Sparta  Institute. 


HISTORYOF 

SOUTH-WESTERN  VIRGINIA 

AND 

NORTH-WESTERN  N.  C 


History  contains  an  important  branch  of 
science,  giving  accurate  accounts  of  past 
events — founding  governments,  progress  In 
arts  and  science,  biographies  of  those  who 
have  contributed  to  tlie  good  of  society  and 
advancement  of  christian  civilization.  His- 
tory is  often  a  warning  against  error,  and  in- 
spires the  mind  with  a  deep  desire  to  be 
good  and  great,  leaving  on  the  golden  pages 
of  history  an  example  worthy  for  others  to 
imitate.     The  noble  deeds  of  heroic  valor  and 


12  FOOT  PRINTS  ON 

self-sacrifice  for  t be  good  of  others  who  may 
live  i.ftei  wards,  is  wojlh  the  admiration  of  In- 
tel igent  minds,  '  alculated  to  inspire  patriotic 
love  of  home  an-^  country  and  enable  future 
generations  to  look  with  |  leasing  recollec- 
ti  ns  on  the  lives  of  pioneer  se tilers  who, 
through  pjivation  and  toil  ^^aved  the  w^ay  from 
lo.sr  cabins  to  satetly  mansions,  hnlls  and  pal- 
aces. Historians  generally  record  the  lives 
of  great  men  and  eulogize  theic  deeds,  while 
millions  in  humbler  w^alks  of  life  perform  the 
labor,  su  II  ort  the  governnif^nt  defend  tne 
rights  of  humanity,  merit  the  good  will  and 
respect  and  honor  of  their  country,  yet  their 
deeds  are  left  untold. 

'1  he  follo\Aing  pages  are  intended  to  give 
a  brief  history  of  South-western  Virginia  and 
North-western  Noi-th  Carolina  and  genealog- 
ical statement  of  the  pioneer  settlersand  their 
lineal  decendants,  with  some  sketches  of  the 
discovery  of  this   c.  untry. 

South -w  stern  Virginia  and  North-west- 
<  rn  N(  rth  Carolina  are  between  ranges  of 
moun'a  n>  containing  beautiful  forests,  salu- 
brious btmf'Si  here,  ct-ys^al  steams  of  water, 
rich  vegetation,  delicious  fruits,  and  rich 
mines  of  ir(m,  lead,  co|  jier  and  zirc  It  is  a 
subject  of  deep  interest;— to  natice  the  order 


THE  Sx\KDS  OF  TIME,  in 

of  Divine  providence  that  after  this  vast  con- 
lint  ntlay  slumberin<j:  ihrou<jh  the  ages  of  the 
past,  unknown  to  the  enhghtened  nations  of 
the  world,  waiting  tv.e  magic  art  of  the  hand 
of  civilization  to  cultivate  its  viigin  soil  and 
develop  its  vast  resources  of  wealth. 

Chri>topner  Columbus,  a  native  of  there- 
public  of  Genoa,  a  man  of  superior  talent-, 
from  scientific  knowledge,  believed  there 
must  be  a  continent  in  the  West  balancing  the 
great  continent  in  the  East.  A  iter  man  3^ 
years  of  toil  and  painful  solicitations,  present 
ing  in  their  attractive  powers  the  honor, 
wealth  and  fame  it  would  confer  on  Spain  if 
he  coukl  obtain  an  outfit  to  go  in  quest  of  and 
discover  Western  land^.  King  Feidinand, 
be'ng  engaged  in  wars,  and  n.-  t  being  wilhng 
to  risk  his  funds,  did  not  favor  the  enter- 
prise, but  the  amiable  and  noble  Qu^  en  Isa- 
bella offered  him  her  aid,  pawning  her  own 
jewels  to  raise  funds.  Her  name  is  worthy  to 
be  engraved  in  letters  of  gold  on  the  records 
of  American  histor3^  Three  vessels  were  fit- 
ted up  and,  on  the  3rd  da}^  of  August,  after 
repair'ng  to  the  chapel  and  oifering  up  prayer 
to  Almighty  God  for  the  success  of  the  voy- 
age they  bailed  f ron  the  port  Palos  in  Spain, 


14  FOOT  PRINTS  ON 

and  with  admirable  coiira«:e,  x^atience  and 
skill  m  overc  >ming  difficulties,  on  the  12th  of 
October  thev  discovered  Hispaniola,  oneof  the 
West  Ind'a  islands.  After  setting  foot  on  its 
soil  they  knelt  in  prayer,  thanking  Goi  for 
their  success.  They  made  other  discove  ies 
and  returned  to  spa  in. 

A  second  an d  a  t h i r d  vo\  a ge  \va s  made  a n d 
further  discoveries  c  ntinued  until  the  )eign 
o?  Quef-n  Elizabeth,  which  was  one  of  the 
brig  itest  md  most  exciting  in  English  history. 

Sir  Walter  Raleigh,  wI.osh  t  ame  is  held 
in  grateful  memory,  enjoyed,  at  tliattime,  ihe 
favor  of  the  Queen  and  ob  tj-  ined letters  patent 
from  the  crown  and  tittod  up  an  expedition, 
consistipg  of  two  \ess<ls,  commanded  by 
Philhp  Armadas  and  Arthur  Barlow, 
.sailed  on  the  27th  of  April  A.  D.  IT)^!,  and 
landed  on  Roanoke  Island  on  the  4th  day  cf 
July  of 'hat  \  ear  They  met  a  friendly  re- 
cepti(m  from  the  natives  The  scenery  was 
dehglitful  There  were  plenty  of  tine  iriapes 
and  berries  The  air  was  redolent  Aithsw^eet 
perfume  from  the  be  utiful  tiow^ers  It  wis 
here  on  (  urrituck  ^^Ound  the  first  Arglo  Sax- 
cm  meteor  flag  fi(mted  tt)  the  breeze;  and  it 
was  her-3  on  this  newly  discovei'ed  count'W 
that    the    silence    wis     broken  by   the  first 


THE  SAKDS  OF  TIME,  lo 

christian  prayer  from  grateful  lieirts  that 
went  up  to  God. 

A  kind  entertainment  was  given  to  Arma- 
das and  Barlow  and  their  men  by  th-*  wife  of 
Cvranganameo,  an  Indian  chief,  that  would 
have  done  honor  to  female  humane  kindness 
among  enlightened  people  in  the  most  refined 
society.  The  expedition  returned  to  England 
in  September  of  the  same  year.  During  the 
year  following,  April,  1585,  another  expedi- 
ticm,  consisting  of  over  one  hundred  persons, 
under  the  auspices  of  Sir  Walter  Raleigh, 
was  sent  to  Roanake.  These  returned  to 
England  after  a  year's  absence;  and  still  an- 
other w^r^s  sent  out  by  him  in  1586,  in  charge 
of  John  White,  commissioned  as  governor  of 
the  city  of  Roanoke,  to  be  established  on 
Roanoke  Island.  WTiite  returned  to  Eng'and 
leaving  about  one  hundred  men,  women  and 
children,  among  wdiom  was  his  daughter, 
Eleanor  Dare,  wife  of  one  of  the  assistants, 
and  who,  on  the  18th  of  August,  became 
mother  of  the  first  child— Virginia  Dare  by 
name— born  of  English  parents  in  the  New 
world . 

It  was  not  until  the  year  1590  that  Raleigh 
could  return  to  look  after  his  colony.  Not  a 
trace  of  it  cou^d  be  found.     After  fitting  out 


16  FOOT  PRINTS  OX 

five  exp  ditions  at  his  o^n  expense— about 
$200,000— and  lab  >ring  many  3- ears,  he  ab  n 
doned  his  possessions,  despdiring  of  success. 
His  ignominious  ju  'icial  murder  by  a  govern- 
ment he  had  patriotically  devotel  the  best  en- 
ergies of  his  great  mind  and  life,  mast,  for  all 
time  to  come,  standout  conspicuousy  on  the 
dark  pages  of  her  high  crimes 

For  a  half  c  ntury  no  suc<-essful  efforts 
were  made  to  establish  c-olonies  in  North  Car- 
o  ina.  iVTean  whi'e  other  settlements  were 
being  made  in  Virgin"a.  It  was  here  where 
so  gre  it  an  effort  was  made  and  so  great  a 
sacrifice  of  lif^  and  treasure  to  establish  a 
colony  that  the  principles  of  liberty,  justice 
and  right  we-e  rocked  in  the  cradle  of  free- 
dom, and  t'^e  foundation  of  a  great  Anelo- 
American  Empire  laid,  the  principles  of  hu- 
man government  simpUfied,  th'^  liberty  of  the 
people  and  th^  ir  right  to  self  government  im 
movably  established.  A  free,  happy  and 
powerful  republic  under  tiie  constitution  of 
liws  in  which  the  rights  of  individuals  are  as 
inviolably  sustained  as  the  glory  of  th^ nation- 
al faith  that  now  covers  the  fairest  portion  of 
the  new  world.  The  proudest  result  of  this 
new  born  nation  is  the  purity  of  its  govern- 
ment and  the  happiness  of  its  pe0f»le.      She 


THE  SANDS  OF  TIME.  17 

lias  given  to  the  world  the  sublime  lesson   of 
her  experience  and   great    principles  of  free 

government. 

We  now  return  to   the   more  permanent 

settlem«-^nt  made  in  North  Carolina.  It  was 
liore  t'  an  fifty  years  after  the  loss  of  the  col- 
ony left  by  White  on  Koanoke  before  any  per- 
manent settlerafnt  was  made  in  North  Caro 
hna.  A  colony  had  been  settled  in  Virginia 
about  1620  and— during  and  thereafter -np  to 
1640  colonists  from  Viig-nia  united  with  emi- 
grants from  other  counties  in  making  a  more 
permanent  sett'ement  in  North  Carolina, 
Fioni  dissention  and  divisions  among  the  set- 
tlers and  trouble  with  the  Indians  great  care 
and  perseverance  was  required  to  retain 
peace,  order  and  safety.  Christian  fortitude 
added  much  in  crowning  success. 

A  colony  was  commencedin  VirHiniaA,D. 
1608  under  the  wise  counsel  and  leadership  of 
Captain  Jonh  Smith  wbosehfe  and  past  experi- 
ence prepared  him  for  the  important  w^ork  en- 
trusted to  hi^  care.  While  engaged  in  this  ar- 
duous task  an  incident  occurred  worthy  of 
record,  i^aptain  Smith  was  taken  prisoner 
by  the  Indians  and  sentpnre  of  death  passed 
upon  him  by  Powhatan,  a  ruling  Indian  Chief. 
Preparation  was  made  for  his  execution;    Hi^s 


18  FOOT  PRINTS  ON 

liead  lay  on  a  rocK,  the  savage  executioner's 
wai'  club  raised  to  sti'ike  the  fata'  blow  when 
Pocahontas,  the  eldest  rlauf^rhter  of  Chief  Pow- 
1  atan.  laid  her  heai  on  Smith's  df^claringsh'^. 
w^ould  peril  her  own  lift^  to  save  his  Such 
acts  of  female  sympithy,  love  and  humane 
kindness  fro  n  his  (the  Chief's)  own  daughter 
touched  the  savage  Chief's  heart  and  he 
clunged  his  sentence  saying,  his  life  should 
not  be  taken.  Smith  was  set  at  liberty  and 
powatan  became  the  friend  of  the  English 
and  did  much  for  the  success  of  the  colony. 
The  gallant  deed  promptei  by  love  that 
glowed  m  the  heart  of  the  Indian  maid,  so 
be'iuf  fully  manifested  by  Pocahontas  in  per- 
iling her  own  hfe  to  save  another,  is  worthy 
the  praise  of  ihe  brightest  intellect  under 
Christian  culture.  Pocahontas  was  carried 
to  England,  married  to  John  Rolfe,  a  worthy 
young  Englishman,  professed  the  Christian 
1  elijiion,  was  baptised  under  the  name  of  Re- 
becca ani  died  an  example  of  peaceful  resig- 
nation and  buried  at  Gravesend  in  England. 
From  her  lineal  decendants  sprang  some  of 
the  leading  families  as  scholars  and  states- 
men. Captiiin  Smith,  exercising  great  ad- 
ministrative ability  in  governing  the  class  of 
emigrants  thxt  first  ci  ne  to  Viririnia  and  de- 


TBE  SANDS  OF  TLVE.  11) 

fendino-  h^s  people  from  Indian  de|)radations, 
succeedel  in  planting  acolony  pet  m^^nentl}^  in 
Virginia.  Daring  the  3^ear  16-0,  after  much 
toil,  privation  and  suffering  his  valunble  Ufe 
was  closed  in  Er  gland 

We  have  given  an  account  of  that  part  of 
Captain  Smith's  life  in  Virgii.ia  and  circum- 
stances attending  it  believing  it  \v(.-uld  be  of 
interest  to  the  reader.  Bi;  rescue  by  Poca- 
hontas was  an  act  of  such  love  and  heroism  by 
a  3'outhful  maid— daughter  of  a  savagechief — 
that  would  have  done  honor  to  the  brightest 
female  intellect  in  an  enlghtened  land  of 
Christian  civilization,  exciting  tlie  strongest 
principles  of  clurity  aid  Christian  culture — 
the  deeds  of  such  sainte^J  womenas  Ruth  and 
Mary  and  ivjary  Magdalene  who  loved  Jesus, 
and  other  noble  women whosenames  will  live 
engraven  en  the  pases  of  infinite  memory 
when  marble  monuments  will  have  crumbled 
into  dust — should  be  retained  in  history  as 
jewe's  of  woman's  love  and  power. 

When  the  first  English  settlement  was 
made  they  became  restless,  and  there  being 
ro  women  in  the  colony  the  English  were  not 
satisfied.  In  the  fall  of  1820  ninety  young 
women  were  induced  to  cast  their  fortunes 
and  s  ek  husbands  in  Virs^inia,  and  soon  after 


20  FOOT  PRINTS  ON 

six^y  others— courageous  marriageible  wo- 
men—landed  in  the  new  settlement  and  be- 
came wives  to  the  |  ioneers.  The  ladies  were 
sold  to  the  c«  lonists  who  were  allowed  t  > 
make  their  selection  and  to  ]r.'.y  their  passage 
to  the  London  company 

The  population  increased  and  settlements 
continued  westward.  In  1635  the  London 
company  sent  over  Sir  John  Larvey  togovern 
the  colony,  but  he  conducted  things  so  bad- 
ly that  the  patience  of  the  people  gave  way 
and  Harvey  was  sent  back  to  England  a  pris- 
oner to  answer  for  his  misconduct  The  En- 
glish iaw  of  primogeniture  and  detail  regula- 
ihe  descent  of  property,  and  the  wealthier  col- 
onists, (directing  the  labcn- of  many  indented 
servaiits  and  slaves  who  lived  apart  on  their 
plantati<ms,  affecting  somewhat  of  a  landed 
aristocr-icy  After  the  ruination  of  the  King"  s 
cause  at  home  in  1645  manv  of  the  disbanded 
cavaUers  foiind  refuge  in  Virginia,  bringing 
with  them  chivalrous  attachments  of  church 
and  kinif. 

In  1671  Governor  Berkley  estimated  the 
]u)pulati(m  at  40,0  )0 -including  2,00v)  negro 
slaves  and  0,0'^0  inHen'e.i  servants.  The 
character  uf  his  administration  may  be  in- 
ferre  1  f lom  a   communication     m  do   bv'   him 


TriESA^'DS  OFTIME.  ^i 

tliis  year  to  the  English  privy  council  :  'T 
tl  ank  God  there  are  no  frf  e  schools  here  or 
printiiJg  press  and  I  hope  wiU  not  be  for  the 
next  hundred  years,  for  education  only  makes 
subjects  disk)yal  to  the  King. "  The  spirit  of 
Uberty  ai  d  justice  grew  with  increase  of  pop- 
ulation. A  young  law.yer  by  the  name  of  Ba- 
con came  to  the  colony  but  soon  raised  a  dip. 
turbance  and  whs  h nested  by  order  of  Berk- 
ley and  he  and  bis  followers  severely  pun- 
ished, Berklf^y  afterwards  returned  to  Eng- 
land. He  w^as  not  received  with  applause, 
but  lather,  it  is  said,  with  chagrin. 

The  colony  still  extended  its  territory 
"westward.  It  was  during  Sir  George  Yead- 
ly's  administration  as  Governor  of  the  colony 
of  Virgifia  that  the  territory  w^as  divided  into 
eleven  districts  or  boroughs.  The  Governor 
issued  a  proclamation  to  the  citizens  of  each 
borough  to  elect  two  of  their  own  number  to 
constitute  a  legislative  assembly.  Elections 
were  accordingly^  held  on  the  30th  of  July, 
1619,  The  delegates  convene i  at  Jamestown. 
Here  was  organized  the  Virginia  house  of 
Burgeses  or  colonial  legislature — thefirst  pop- 
ular assembl  3^  held  in  the  new  w^orld.  Here 
was  laid  tne  first  piller  for  a  great  republic, 
Afew  years  after  the  plantation  of  Jamestown 


22  FOOT  PRINTS  ON 

other  settlements  were  made  up  the  Jannes 
river  as  far  as  Richmond  and  beyond.  The 
commonwealth  of  Virginia  grew  and  expand- 
ed according  to  national  laws  of  development. 
Emigrants  came  in  from  Ireland,  Scotland, 
Germany  and  other  European  cc  '.ntries;  the 
nativ^es  mulitipied;  others  came  to  find  new 
homes  in  this  favored  Ian 'I,  society  improved, 
civil  and  religious  institutions  established  to 
meet  the  wants  of  the  colony. 

The  permanence  of  a  new  state  was  assured. 
This  country  became  a  place  of  refuge  from 
religious  persecution  and  heavy  burdens  of 
taxation.  For  near  one  hundred  years  the 
people  contended,  not  only  with  hardships  in- 
cident to  pioneer  life,  but  almost  continual 
Indian  warfare,  until  the  17th  century.  The 
love  of  liberty  and  the  administration  of  jus- 
tice had  taken  hold  on  the  minds  of  the  people, 
not  to  be  erased,  and  patriotic  love  of  home 
and  country  planted  in  virtuous  soil  to  live  and 
expand  to  other  lands.  At  tiie  beginning  of 
the  17th  century  the  colony  had  advanced  in 
Virginia  as  far  we  t  as  Nhmtgomery  county, 
which  at  that  time  included  a  considerable 
part  of  South- .vestern  Virginia. 

Beheving  it  wi'l  be  a  m  ttter  of  pleasing  in- 
terest to  the  lineal    decendants    of   ancestors 


THE  SANDS  OP  TLVJE.  13 

who  left  their  native  homes  in  the  densely 
populcited  and  down-ti  odden  (om  tiies  of  the 
old  world,  and  came  to  this  country,  and 
through  indefatigable  labor  and  toil  aided  in 
unfui^ling  the  banner  of  liberty  and  religious 
freedom  which  they  happiiy  enjo^^ed.  We 
give  a  statement  of  some  of  the  leading  fami- 
lies that  first  settled  u)  this  country  and  sooie 
of  the  incdents  therewith— partly  from  tra 
diiioLi  and  1  ho  most  reliable  sources  of  infor- 
mation we  could  obtain  The  Craigs,  Eng- 
lishes, Lewises,  Triggs, Taylors,  Huffs,  Coxes, 
(  loyds,  Prestons,  Ployds,Charletcns.  Wades, 
Howards,  Lesters  and  Dobbins  These  fami- 
lies by  united  effort,  established  yermanent 
homes,  and  their  lineal  descendants  are  scat 
tered  over  this  broad  land,  west  to  the  Pacific 
coast. 

Towijs  and  cities  have  been  built  up,  rail- 
r(  ads  completed,  navigation  enlarged,  institu- 
tions of  learning  established,  inventions  that 
have  equaled  if  not  surpassed  the  genius  of 
any  others  that  the  world  has  ever  produced. 
Fulton,  the  inventor  of  the  steam  boat,  Fields 
of  the  ocean  cable,  Whitney,  of  the  cotton  gin, 
and  Edison  of  the  telephone.  The  famihes 
mentions  d  have  borne  a  conspicuous  part  in 
founding  the  institutions  so  haj^pily   enjoyed 


24  FOjT  PRINTS  ON 

by  the  peopl*i  of  the  present  generatioD. 
.lohn  Craige,  of  Roanoke,  married  Molhe 
Cox,  whose  son  represented  his  district  in 
congress  for  nian}^  years  Craige  county  was 
named  in  honor  of  his  family.  James  Taylor, 
a  nephew  of  the  representative  in  (onoress, 
was  for  some  years  Attorney-General  of  Vir- 
gii  i  .  ']  he  Freston  family  was  distinguished 
for  their  pati  iotism  tnd  loveof  country.  Gen- 
e  ^'1  James  Preston  was  wounded  in  the  war 
of  1812  and  made  a  cripple  for  life,  and  after- 
w^ards  became  (jovernorofVii-ginia  tiis  son 
Hon  Wm  B  Preston  was  an  able  states- 
man and  distiiiguislied  lawyer,  was  "^eoetary 
of  the  Navy  in  Pre.--.  William  Henry  Harrison's 
cabinet,  and  witll  ex-President  Tyler,  as  a 
delegate  from  Virginia  to  t^-e  peace  congress 
which  convened  at  VVashingUmCity  to  prevent 
the  unfortunate  war  between  the  states. 
Gordon  Cloyd  lived  in  Pulaski  county  and  was 
Fntry-taker  in  the  land  office  for  mmy  years. 
Captain  John  Cox,  brother  of  Mrs.  Craige  re 
ferred  to,  was  at  one  time  a  citizen  of  Mont- 
gomery coanty,  moved  to  Grayson  county, 
Virgini:%  was  distinguished  as  a  Regulator 
during  the  Revolutionary  wai*  The  Lestevs 
were  noted  for  enei'gy  and  ambition  in  what 
ever  they  engaged  in,  nlwayshonestandrigh'^. 


THE  SANDS  OP  TIME.  25 

Peter  Howard,  the  ancestoi*  of  the  Howard 
family,  was  a  worthy  Baptist  minister.  He 
hved  to  agojd  old  ao'e,  raised  an  inte'hgent 
family  Col.  Joseph  Howard  was  one  of  the 
country's  best  citizens  honored  and  respect- 
ed by  the  people.  Rev.  Charles  W.  Charleton, 
of  Montgomery  county,  was  a  talented,  inter- 
esting preacher,  member  of  Holston  annual 
conference  of  the  M.  E  Church  South  for 
some  years.  The  original  ancestors  of  the 
Bishop  family  came  from  Holland.  They 
were  among  the  first  settlers  of  Ployd,  then 
Montgomery  county.  The  old  lady  was 
drc-wned  in  Little  river  in  an  attempt  to  cross 
when  ir,  was  too  flush.  Henry  and  Jacob, 
their  sons,  were  large  athletic  men,  noted  for 
industry  and  prudf  n^e  in  managing  the  busi- 
ness affairs  of  hfe.  The  Andersons  and 
Wades  were  quiet,  reliable  families,  often  fill- 
ing county  offices.  A  Mr.  Wsde  is  the  pres- 
ent Clerk  of  Montgomery  county  Roanoke 
retairs  the  name  of  Roanoke  given  to  the 
island  at  the  mouth  of  tne  Roanoke  river,  at 
which  point  Armadas  and  Barlow  landed  in 


26  FOOT  PRINTS  ON 

15^4.  It  is  a  beautiful  city  with  an  intelli- 
gent and  enterprising  population,  lai'ge  man- 
nfa<-tories  and  wholesale  niecrantile  stores. 
The  surrounding  country  is  ricli  in  mineral 
wealth  and  fine  farms.  Tliey  liave  tine  public 
buil  iings,  churches  and  institutions  of  learn- 


THE  SANDS  OP  TIME, 


CHAPTER  11. 

Montgomery  county  has  many  things  of 
hifctoric  nature  connect- d  with  it.  It  is  situ- 
ated just  west  .of  the  range  of  Alleghanies  and 
divides  the  eastern  and  western  waters. 
Christiansburg  is  the  capital.  The  Norfolk 
and  Western  railroad  passes  through  its  cen- 
tre. It  contains  tine  farm  and  grazing  lands. 
Its  society  is  refined. 

Pulaski  county  is  noted  for  its  production 
of  grain  and  grasses.  Newburn  is  the  capi- 
tal In  this  county  several  prominent  fami- 
lies reside.  Floyds,  Wysors,  Drapers,  Cloyds 
and  Wygals,  some  of  whom  tilled  important 
offices. 

The  cour.ty  of  Wythe  is  rich  in  mineral 
wealth;  iron,  lead,  gypsum,  cobalt  and  zinc. 
Iron    furnaces^      manufactories    and    public 


28  FOOT  PRl^^TS  ON 

\^orks  have  given  emplo^Mnent  to  many  labor- 
ing bands.  Tbe  distinguisbed  General  Sam- 
uel Huuston,  tbe  beroof  Sanjacinto,  first  pres- 
ident of  tbe  re{)ublic  of  'I'exas,  was  born  at 
the  Jeid  mines,  in  W^- tbe  county.  Judge  An 
drew  Fulton  resided  in  tbis  county  and  was 
a  representative  in  Congress,  but  was  a  native 
of  Nortb  Carolina,  wbicb  Sti^te  was  proud  of 
her  son.  Colonel  Rusb  Floyd  was  a  talented 
lawyer  and  at  tbe  bead  of  tbe  bar.  Pie-ce 
owned  residences,  furnaces  manufactories 
of  shot  and  other  extensive  business  opera- 
tions, and  was  at  Poplar  Camp,  in  the  south- 
eastern part  of  tbe  county.  Many  Germans 
and  Dutch  were  early  settlers  of  tbis  county 
and  formed  a  class  oi'  the  finest  agricultural- 
ists in  the  country.  Wytheville,  tbe  capital, 
is  a  beautiful  town  and  an  active  place  of  bus- 
iness, and  has  a  tine  institution  of  le  irning 
conducted  under  tbe  wise  administraticm  of 
Prof.  Snavely.  The  adaptation  of  grain- 
growing,  stock-raising,  mineral  wealth,  and 
commercial  advantages  make  the  county  of 
Wythe  one  of  the  mobt  desirable  places  for  a 
pleasant  home. 

Smith  county,  although  not  Urge  in  boun- 
dary, contains  much  wealth.  It  has  a  rich 
aUuvial  soil,  fi^ne  timber,  and  furnishes   much 


THE  SANDS  OF  TIiME.  29 

mateaial  for  buildings.  Its  minerals  are  salt, 
and  gypsum.  Marion,  the  countj^  seat,  is  de- 
lightfully located,  and  is  laid  out  in  beauty 
and  convenience  and  is  a  desirable  place  for  a 
happy  home,  where  refined  society  churches 
and  good  schools  and  fine  railroad  facihties 
nre  to  be  found.  The  salt  works  in  theSouth- 
westei  n  part  of  the  county  has  furnished  mill- 
ions of  bushels  to  the  surrounding  country. 
These  counties  of  Virginia  produce  finefruits, 
such  as  apples,  peaches,  pears,  quinces  and 
abundance  of  smaller  fruits.  Look  &  Lin- 
coln manufacture  valuable  articlesfor  wagons, 
etc.,  that  supply  the  pressing  demands  of  the 
country.  The  ISeven  Mile  Ford  farm  is  very 
beautiiul— level,  rich  soil,  crystal  streams  of 
Holston  river— and  rich  in  production  equal 
to  any  on  the  Mississippi  river.  James  W. 
Sheffey  was  a  resident  of  this  county  and  was 
an  able  jurist  James  White  Sheffey  and 
(ieorge  VV.  Richardson  are  practicing  la  w^yers 
of  Marion.  The  lunatic  asylum  is  located 
near  town  and  is  an  honor  to  christian  civiliza- 
tion. The  officers  of  this  institution— Dr. 
Preston,  Superintendent— are  gentlemen  em- 
inently qualified  for  the  important  duties  as- 
signed them.     .Major    Scott    was    for    many 


30  FOOT  PRINTS  OX 

years  Sheriff  of  Smyth  county  and  proved  a 
faithful  offi  cer  and  honored  citizen.  His  was 
a  noble  family.  Their  son,  Robert  D.  Scott, 
is  editor  of  the  Enterprise  Battle  Creek,  Ne- 
braska. Miss  Mattie  Scott  was  a  lady  of  re- 
tinement  and  many  accomplishments. 


THE  SANDS  OP  TIME.  31 


CHAPTER  III. 

SOUTH-WESTERN  VIRGINIA, 

Carroll  County. 

There  is  much  of  histo  rlc  lore  attached  to 
South-western  Virginia  The  genealogy  of 
Carroll  and  surrounding  counties  is  so  imme- 
diately connected  that  anything  like  a  correct 
chronology  cannot  be  given  without  taking  the 
population  in  counection, 

Carroll  county  is  bounded  on  the  east  by 
Floyd,  on  the  south  by  Surry,  N.  C,  (State 
line),  on  the  west  by  Grayson,  on  the  North 
by  Wythe. 

Hills ville  is  the  county  seat.  This  town  is  a 
neat  country  village  with  well-arranged 
streets  for  convenience  in  business  depart- 
ments, and  is  well  supplied  with  hotels,  mer- 
cantile establishments,  doctors,   lawyers  and 


32  FOOT  PRllSTS  ON 

merchants.  The  EUiott  House  is  a  good  hotel 
for  the  weary  traveler.  It  has  all  the  accom 
modations  that  polite  attention  and  kindness 
can  bestow.  Mr.  Thompson,  the  gentleman- 
ly proprietor  gives  his  guests  a  pleasant  home 
at  his  hotel. 

Carroll  county  abounds  in  fine  meadow 
and  grazing  lands,  forests  of  tine  timber, 
beautiful  streams  of  cool,  clear,  soft  water 
which  passes  through  most  all  the  farm  land. 
Iron,  in  large  quantities,  zinc  and  copper 
abound.  The  productions  are  wheat,  rye, 
oats,  corn  and  buckwheat. 

This  county  claims  to  have  derived  its 
name  from  Charles  Carroll,  one  of  the  signers 
of  the  Declaration  of  Independence.  John 
Blair  was  one  of  the  early  settlers  who  owned 
and  operated  iron  works  on  Chestnut  Creek 
and  supplied  the  people  with  a  much  needed 
article.  He  represented  his  county  in  the 
legislature  before  Carroll  county  was  formed 
from  the  eastern  end  of  Grayson  county.  His 
wife  was  a  Miss  Boring  They  raised  an  in 
telligent  family.  Hon.  Fielding  J.  Hale,  of 
Battle  Creek,  Nebraska,  is  a  lif'eal  descend- 
ant of  the  Blair  family.  Many  of  their  y30s- 
terity  are  scattered  through  the  western 
states.  Andrew  Cock  was  among  the  first  set- 


ThIE  SANDS  OP  TIME.  83 


tiers  of  the  eastern  part  of  tbe  county.  He 
made  and  occupied  a  fine  farmonBurk's  Foik 
of  Reed  Island  river.  One  of  his  daughtei's, 
Hannah,  is  the  grandmother  of  Rev.  Mr. 
Webb,  of  the  county.  After  the  death  of  this 
venerable  pioneer  his  son,  Esquire  John  Cock, 
became  owner  of  the  old  homestead.  His 
wife  was  Jennie  Phillips,  one  of  eai'th's  noble 
women.  Esqaire  Cock  served  his  county  as 
Justice  of  the  Peace  fen-  many  years.  He  was 
an  upright  man  and  leader  in  his  community. 
Their  large  family  decendants  have,  many  of 
them,  gone  West  to  occupy  new  terrirory, 
Reuben  Cock  was  also  an  early  settler  and 
raised  a  large  respected  family.  The  popula- 
tion of  the  eastern  part  of  Carroll  county  was 
composed  in  part  of  Dal  tons,  Bobbitts,  Nes- 
tors,  Jenkinses,  W^ebbs  and  Montgomeries. 
John  Carroll  (Irish  descent)  was  a  merchant, 
farmer  and  representative  in  the  legislature. 
John  Cock,  Jr.,  married  his  neice,  Mary  Ann 
Carroll;  William  Bobbitt  married  her  sister, 
Margaret  Carroll.  Jeremiah  Star  was  a 
w^orthy  citizen  and  successful  farmer  and 
tanner.  His  wife  w^as  Tabitha  Howell, giand- 
daughter  of  Enoch  Orsborn,  Sr.,  of  Bridle 
Creek,  Grayson  county.     Louis,    Wesly    and 


34  FOOT  PRINTS  ON 

Mary  were  their  children.  Captain  Jennings 
Avho  commanded  a  company  from  the  eastern 
part  of  the  county  in  the  Confederate  army, 
was  a  young  man  of  talents  and  much  moral 
worth  who  fell  in  battle  an  honor  to  his  exten- 
sive family  relations  and  country,  as  w^as  also 
the  brave  coQipany  under  his  command.  Wil- 
liam Lindsey,  first  Clerk  of  the  court,  and 
Robert  Mitchell  were  prominent  citizens  and 
Justices  of  the  Peace.  Col.  Madison  D.  Cart- 
er, lawyer  and  farmer,  resided  in  this  part  of 
the  county  and  earnestly  labored  for  the  good 
of  his  country.  He  was  an  honored  and  re- 
spected citizen 

Edward  Marshall  w^as  Sheriff  for  a  num- 
of  years,  an  efficient, faithful  officer.  Wm.  Ken 
ny  was  a  practical  farmer  and  a  worthy  citizen 
and  had  a  highly  respected  family.  Dr, 
Joshua  D.  Stoneman  had  an  extensive  prac- 
tice in  this  and  adjoining  counties.  He 
was  a  zealous  member  of  the  Quaker  church, 
loved,  honored  and  respected.  His  son,  Mark 
D.  Stoneman,  made  medicine  his  profession 
and  moved  to  Indiana.  The  Davis  famihes 
were  quiet,  good  citizens  Esquire  Coolie 
lived  in  the  western  part  of  the  county.  No 
modern  Tubal  Cain  could  have  excelled  him 
as  an  artificer  in  his  superior  skill  in  workuig 


ThIE  SANDS  OF  TIME.  35 

metals.  He  made  some  of  the  finest  clocks  in 
the  United  States.  One  of  these  clocks  were 
purchased  by  John  McMillan,  of  Alleghany 
county,  and  it  not  only  kept  the  usual  order 
of  time,  but  the  days  of  the  week  and  the 
month,  the  "full'' and  changes  of  the  moon. 
The  author  of  these  sketches  has  often  seen 
the  clock.  Esquire  Coolie  was  a  useful  and 
honored  citizen  and  had  an  intelligent  and 
highly  respected  family. 

Rev.  William  Thompson,  a  native  of 
Campbellcounty,  Va.,  for  some  time  a  resi- 
dent of  Floyd  county,  spent  the  close  of  his 
useful  life  near  Hillsville  after  having  served 
his  generation  by  the  will  of  God.  His  happy 
spirit  no  doubt  has  gone  to  gather  laurels 
fresh  that  will  never  fade  in  the  regions  of 
bliss. 

There  are  many  worthy  subjects  connect- 
ed with  the  people  we  have  not  recorded;  their 
hves  and  noble  deeds  are  worthy  of  being  per- 
petuated. Rev.  Vaughn  and  Amos  Shockley 
were  local  preachers  in  the  M.  E.  Church 
South  who  aided  in  unfurling  the  banner  of 
the  cross  over  their  people.  They  have  gone 
to  rest  in  the  better  world  but   the  fruits  of 

their  labor  still  live. 

Elder  William  Liwson,    a    distinguished 


36  FOOT  PRINTS  OX 

Baptist  minister,  who  resided  in  the  north- 
western part  of  Patrick  county.  He  married 
a  Miss  Thompson,  an  amiable  christian  la^iy. 
He  was  pastor  of  several  churches  in  Carroll 
and  adioining  counties,  His  siiperior  talents 
and  bright  ifitellect,  although  limited  in  op- 
portunity for  education  in  early  hfe,  was  w^ell 
cultivated  for  usefulness  in  church  and  State 
He  was  a  systematic  farmer,  a  prudent  man- 
ager of  the  domestic  business  of  life,  that 
makes  the  family  circle  a  happy  home,  worth 
living  for.  'Jlie  writer  that  records  these 
facts,  has,  when  wearied  by  traveling,  spent 
several  nights'  rest  with  this  hospitable  fam- 
ily. Elder  Law^^on  continued  faithful  in  his 
ministerial  work  as  long  as  he  was  able  to 
travel  "Be,  being  dead,  yet  speabeth  '  He 
has*.'one  to  his  happy  heme  to  dwell  with  the 
church  triumphant  in  glory.  Their  son,  Col. 
Joffersoii  Lawson,  w^as  an  officer  in  the  Con- 
federate  army,  honored  and  respected,  after 
the  war,  representative  in  the  Legislature. 

The  population  of  Patrick  county  is  so 
immediately  connected  with  that  of  Carroll  iu 
relations  of  life  that  they  may  be  appropri- 
ately described  together.  Hon  Archibald 
Stuart,  of  Patrick  county,  practiced  law  in 
Carroll  courts  for  several  veurs.     He  was   a 


ThfE  SANDS  OF  TIME.  37 

clj^ningt  ished  lawyer  and  statesman,  presi- 
dential elector  and  member  of  congress.  His 
wife,  iVIiss  Pannel,  possessed  a  high  order  of 
talent  vnd  christian  culture  as  governess  in 
the  faiuily  circle,  both  as  teacher  in  literature 
and  christian  education  that  does  honor  to  the 
name  of  mother.  Their  son.  General  James 
E.  B.  Stewart,  commanded  a  brigade  of  caval 
ry  in  the  Confederate  arm}^,  w^as  wounded  at 
Yehow  Tave,  Va  ,  and  died  a  meritorious  offi- 
cer of  whom  his  coutity  and  state  is  justly 
proud. 

Many  worthy  families  live  in  Patrick 
county,  some  of  whom  we  name,  as  Staples, 
Penns,  R(-eds,  Scales,  M cores  and  Cores,  all 
have  done  credit  to  their  county  and  state. 
-Rev  Jacob  Bishop  resided  in  this  county  for 
more  than  forty  yeai's  was  a  quiet  local  preach- 
er in  the  M.  E.  Church  South  for  nearly  sixty 
y<-ars.  A  fine  church  edifice  was erectedin his 
neighborhood,  known  as  Gladeville  church, 
with  a  membership  of  over  one  hundred. 
Wm.  Liddle,  was  a  class  leader.  Rev.  Alex- 
ander C.  Sutherland  and  Rev.  Ezra  Painter 
were  local  j)reachers. 

Chestnut  Yards,  in  the  western  part  of  the 
county,  is  the  terminus  of  a  branch  of  the 
Norfolk  &  Western  railroad.     Wolf  Glade,  six 


38  FOOT  PRINTS  ON 

miles  east  of  old  Grayson  courtliouse  on  turn- 
pike road  leading  to  Hillsville,  is  an  active 
place  of  business,  having  dry  goods  and  gro- 
cery stores,  tine  steel  roller  flour  mills  and  a 
tannery  in  a  wealthy  community  of  good  farm- 
ers and  successful  producers.  Of  the  worthy 
number  are  Messrs.  Draper,  manufacturer  of 
leather;  William  Liddeli,  a  native  of  Englind, 
a  skillf'jl  workman  in  iron  and  steel:  WiUiam 
R.  Bishop,  a  practical  farmer  and  live  stock 
dealer.  His  amiable  a<icomplished  wife  was 
Miss  Ella  Lauson,  daughter  of  Elder  Wil  iam 
Lau son  previously  mer)tioned,  Luthe^' Bishop, 
farmer  and  live  stock  dealer.  His  Wife  v.^as  a 
Miss  Cecil,  an  excellent  lady,  Kev.  A.  C. 
Sutherland,  a  good  farmer  and  producer.  His- 
ftceomphshed  wife  was  the  daughter  of  Mi- 
chael Kinser.  Mr.  Sutherland's  son.  Rev. 
Roby  Sutherland,  is  a  member  of  the  tlolston 
annual  conference,  statitmed  at  Bristol  Al- 
though a  young  man  in  age  he  is  distinguished 
as  an  able  minister  of  tlie  gospel.  Dr  Dob- 
bins is  located  at  wolf  (;Jlade,  and  is  a  success- 
ful practitioner.  His  wife  was  Miss  Ella 
Duffy,  daughter  of  Dr.  Duffy,  of  Oldt  )wn,  in 
Grayson  county  Dr.  Dobbins  is  a  young 
man  whose  devotion  to  his  profession,  assist- 
ed by  his  excellent  christian   wife,    bespeaKs- 


THE  SANDS  OF  TIME.  39 

for  them  a  bright  future.  Jame  s  Wilkinson 
resides  at  Hillsville.  and  is  an  active  business 
man,  farmer,  producer  and  hve  stock  dealer. 
His  worthy  wife  was  Miss  Jane  Keeves,  of 
Alleghany  county,  N.  C,  an  excellent  lady 
and  pious  companion.  Steven  V\ilkinson,now 
residing  at  Hillsville,  hns  been  an  explorer  to 
some  considerable  ex  lent,  has  visited  Congo 
Free  btite,  in  Africa  and  Klondike  regions 
among  the  gold  mines  of  Alaska.  His  esti- 
mable wife  WdS  a  Miss  Edwards,  of  Wilkes 
county,  N   (J. 

There  is  something  in  store  for  the  fut- 
ure of  LarroU  county  that,  may  soon  be  devel- 
oped. Its  rich  mineral  deposits,  fine  forests 
of  timber,  granite,  w^atfr  power,  variety  of 
fruits,  salubrious  air  and  crystal  springs  of 
pure  water  are  the  natural  blessings  wiiich 
are  sure  to  prove  advantageous  to  the  people 
May  the  good  people  be  thankful  for  the  past 
and  cherish  bright  hopes  for  the  future. 


40  FOOT  PRIM^S  ON 


CHAPTER  IV. 

SOUTH-WESTERN  VIRGINIA, 

Floyd  CouNrv. 

Floyd  a^unty  was  formed  from  the  South" 
em  part  of  Montgomery  county.  It  is  bound- 
ed on  the  south  by  Patrick,  west  by  Carroll, 
east  by  Frankhn.  Its sur faceis  very  uneaven» 
All  parts  of  the  county  abound  in  springs  of 
elear,  cold,  soft  water,  with  inlets  and  creeks 
in  great  numbers  passing  through  the  county. 
Jacksonville  is  the  capital  and  is  beautifully 
located.  The  population  is  composed  of  in- 
telligent, active  and  enterpi-ising  business, 
people.  Institutions  of  learning,  supplied 
with  well  qualified  professors    of    literature. 

The  Buffalo  n)ountain  in  the  southerji 
part  af.  the  county  rises  in  sublime  grandeur 


THE  SANDS  OF  TIME.  41 

and  ck  uds  float  along  its  sides,  and  flashes  of 
lightning  and  peals  of  thunder  are  seen  and 
lieard  below  its  summit.  A  fine  view  of  the 
surrounding  country  can  be  obtained  from  the 
top  of  this  mountain. 

The  products  of  the  county  are  wheat, 
t3orn,  rye,  oats,  buckwheat,  potatoes,  and  a 
great  variety  of  vegetables  and  fine  deUcious 
fraits,  The  climate  and  soil  is  adapted  to 
the  growth  of  grasses,  such  as  timothy,  clover ^ 
red  top  and  blue  grass.  Live  stock  raising 
has  brought  more  money  to  the  county  than 
any  other  branch  of  business.  There  are 
valuable  minerals.  For  many  years  past  fur- 
naces have  been  operated.  Even  gold  has 
been  found  in  the  north-eastern  part  of  the 
county.  There  is  an  alum  cave  in  The  western 
part  of  the  county,  also  a  very  fine  chalibeate 
sulphur  spring.  Fiae  forests  of  timber 
abound.  Granite  and  sandstone,  for  buildini^r 
material,  is  plentiful.  It  ha.s  water  power  for 
mills  and  machinery.  And  there  is  room  and 
power  for  more  machinery. 

The  author  of  these  sketches  is  a  native  of 
Floyd  county;  bound  by  endearing  ties  of  kin- 
dre  love  and  friendly  associations  of  past 
years.  We  gratefully  appreciate  the  enjoy- 
•ment  of  the  home  and  associations  of  earl.y 


42  FOOT  PRINTS  ON 

life.     The  recollection  on  memory's  page  is  a 
green  spot  and  cooling  shade  onhfe'siourne.v. 

Beheving  it  will  be  a  subject  of  interest 
and  pleasure  to  those  who  now  or  hereafter 
may  live  to  find  recorded  in  history  the  names 
of  ancient  and  worthy  citizens  who  made  their 
homes  in  this  country  worthy  of  a  record  in 
history,  leaving  examples  of  moral  excellence 
and  piety  that  enables  them  to  look  back  with 
grateful  hearts  that  in  the  providence  of  God 
they  had  such  fine  parents  whose  names  still 
live  in  history,  and  whose  labors  changed  the 
wild  forest  to  fertile  fields,  and  savage  tents 
to  happy  dwelling  houses,  mansions,  palaces, 
institutions  of  learning  and  churches  dedica- 
te! to  the  worship  of   God. 

Edmund  Vansel  was  one  of  the  first  set 
tiers  of  this  county.  He  was  a  live  stock  raiser 
and  good  farmer.  His  fine  farm  was  after- 
wards owned  by  Col  John  Enghsh,  Samuel 
Sanders  and  Judge  Flemming  Sanders,  It 
is  :iow  owned  by  Mr.  Burnett.  The  early 
settlers  of  this  county  were  to  some  extent 
made  up  of  emigrants  from  England,  Ger- 
many, Ireland,  Scotland  and  Frince.  We 
give  the  names  of  som^  of  tie  leading  fami- 
lies :  Phlegers,  VVeddles,  Harmons,  Blushers, 
Bishops,    Coxes,    Hiltons,    Reeds,    Gordons, 


Th[E  SANDS  OP  TIME.  43 

Wades.  Helms.  Howards,  Goodykoontzes, 
Kitermans.  Phillipses,  Dicker  sons.  Thurmans, 
Duncans,  Lesters,  Simmonses  and  Shelors. 
Mauy  worthy  people  who  made  homes  in  this 
county  furnished  examples  of  industry,  pa- 
tience, energy  and  persevi  ranee  that  honor 
head  and  heart 

Col  Jacob  Helms  married  a  iMiss  Smith 
He  was  a  successful  merchant,  farmer  and 
active  business  man,  a  member  of  the  Virgin- 
ia legislature,  when  Montgomery  and  Floyd 
were  one  county,  and,  zealously  aided  by  Hon, 
William  B.  Preston,  State  senator,  Floyd  coun- 
iy  was  created  As  a  citizen,  w-dsapubUc-spir- 
ited  man  who  contributed  to  the  good  of  soci- 
ety. The  home  of  Col.  Helms  was  a,  preach- 
ing place  for  the  Methodist  itinerant  preacher 
on  that  circuit,  and  ci  hospitalable  home  for 
way-vorn  ministersof  thegospel  Col  Helms 
and  family  contribted  much  towards  the 
^rerction  of  a  campmeeting  location  near  their 
home.  Captain  John  W  Helms  was  a  practr 
cal  farmer  on  Burke's  Fork  in  the  western 
part  of  the  county  and  was  Sheriff  of  his  coun- 
ty for  a  number  of  years  and  representative 
of  Floyd  county  in  the  Virginia  legislature. 
He  married  Miss  Susan  Cox.,  a  native  of  the 


44  FOOT  PRINTS  ON 

the  countv  Their  youngest  son,  George  W. 
Helms,  is  the  present  superintendent  of  the 
Virginia  penitentiary  and  is  an  efficient  and 
approved  official.  Wm.  Goodson  was  first 
clerk  of  Floyd  county,  Pleasant  Howell  was 
sheriff  and  representative  in  the  legislature! 
William  Gilham  was  a  representative  in  tlie 
legislature,  Harvey  Deskins  was  a  merchant 
and  representative,  Burdine  Bishop  was  a 
representative  in  1883  and  '84,  David  Slusher 
has  been  sheriff  several  years,  Brame  Bros. 
Hre  editors  of  the  Flovd  Press,  Mrs.  Mary  L. 
Bishop,  former  editor  of  Floyd  Press, isalady 
of  iritelligence  and  refinement. 

The  directory  of  Jacksonville  as  taken  in 
the  fall  of  1895,  shows  seven  stores,  three 
hotels,  ten  lawyers  four  doctors,  two  resident 
ministers,  oneacndemy  and  two  good  county 
schools, Dr.  Pendleton,  druggist;  S.  W.Tomp- 
kins, post  mast'^r;  J.  W.  Simmons,  M  D.,  and 
C  alahan  Stigleman,M.D  ,  resident  physicians. 

We  name  a  few  of  the  moldel  agricultur- 
ists and  producers  of  the  county  :  Benjamin 
Dodd  owned  a  good  farm  one  mile  east  of  the 
courthouse,  was  an  industrious  and  worthy 
citizen  Solomon  Hai'mon  was  a  farmer  and 
miller  who,  by  industry  and  economy,  made  a 
handsome  property  sufficientto  leavehis  fami- 


THE  SANDS  OF  TIME,  45 

1}^  in  good  circumstances.  Andrew  Waddle 
was  an  unassuming  christian  whose  wife  was 
a  Miss  Boone,  a  relative  of  the  celebrated 
Daniel  Boone,  of  Kentucky  renown.  Mr.  Wed- 
dle  was  a  pattern  of  industry,  quietude  and 
piety.  Archibald  Hylton  was  an  excellent 
citizen  and  practical  farmer.  Ambrose  Cox, 
Sr.,  lived  in  the  western  part  of  the  county 
married  Miss  Sallie  Reed.  He  was  a  good 
citizen  and  neighbor  and  by  industry  and 
economy  acquired  considerable  wealth.  His 
father  Matthew  Cox  senior  was  a  native  of  the 
valley  of  Virginia.  His  wife's  maiden  name 
was  Dickenson,  who  first  married  a  man  by 
the  name  of  Spencer.  She  was  a  widow  when 
Matthew  Cox  married  her.  Their  union  was 
blessed  with  six  sons  and  one  daughter,  viz  : 
Carter,  Maston,  Aras,  Matthew,  Ambrose, 
Braxton  "and  Delphine.  The  latter  married 
William  Roberts,  Matthew^  Cox,  Sr  ,  was  a 
soldier  in  Col.  George  Washington's  regi- 
ment with  General  Bradduc  at  Pittsburg  in 
1755  when  the  English  were  defeated.  Col. 
Washington  requested  General  Braddock  to 
allow  him  to  take  his  regiment  and  fight  the 
indians,  assuring  him  that  under  proper 
discipline  he  could  defeat  them.  But  the 
General  replied :     "It  is  high    time    when    a 


46  FOOT  PRINTS  ON 

Virginia  Buckskin  attempts  to  advise  a  Brit- 
ish General."  Tiie  French  and  Indians 
poured  a  deadly  fire  into  the  Enghsh  ranks 
until  General  Braddock  was  mortally  wound- 
ed, and  exclaimed:  "Colonel  Washington, 
what  shall  we  do?"  Washington  answered  : 
"For  God's  sake  retreat  1',  Matthew  Cox  was 
with  the  body-guard  that  conveyed  the  wound- 
ed General  from  the  fatal  battle-ground  He 
died  soon  after.  The  Virginia  regiment  came 
near  starving  before  they  reached  the  valley 
of  Virginia.  Matthew  Cox  and  family  lived 
for  some  years  in  Halifax  county,  Virginia, 
and  then  moved  to  Floyd  county,  as  previous- 
ly stated,  then  moved  to  Wilkes  county,  N,  C, 
now  CaldweU  county. 

Esquire  Isbel  in  after  years  owned  the 
farm  where  Matthew  Cox,  Sr.,  lived,  and 
where  he  and  his  noble  wife's  bodies  rest  in 
their  honored  graves.  Spring  Camp  farm,  at 
the  foot  of  Buffalo  mountain,  on  the  south 
side,  is  one  of  the  most  v^aluable  farms  in  the 
county.  It  was  owned  b^^  Hon.  Charles  C. 
Lee,  a  distinguished  lawyer  and  statesman, 
whose  patriotic  love  of  country  reflected  cred- 
it on  himself  and  country.  This  valuable 
farm  was  afterward  owned  by  Nat  Burwe]) 
and  brotliers.. 


THE  SANDS  OP  TIME.  47 

Laurel  Fork,  a  branch  of  BigReed Island, 
contains  fine  meadows  and  grazing  lands.  The 
old  Stanly  farm  on  Burk's  Fork,  north  side  of 
Buffalo  mountain,  contains  one  of  the  finest 
meadows  in  all  this  country.  This  farm  was 
afterward  owned  by  the  Hylton  Family.  On 
this  delightful  stream  was  the  residence  of 
the  late  John  W.  Helms,  spoken  of.  The  In- 
dian Ridge  in  the  western  part  of  the  county 
contained  some  fine  specimens  of  beautiful 
silica,  one  alone  weighed  twenty-five  pounds, 
of  rare  beauty  and  was  placed  in  the  cabinet 
of  minerals  at  Marion  Sims  college  of  medi- 
cine at  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  with  proper  engravings 
m  letters  of  gold,  in  memory  of  Albert  S.  A. 
Cox,  a  student  of  the  college,  who  died  there 
in  1891,  a  bright  example  of  moral  excellence 
anp  piety.  This  extraordinary  specimen  was 
found  by  Mr.  Weeks  and  purchased  by  Thom- 
as W.  Williamson,  and  purchased  from  Mr. 
Williamson  by  Dr.  A.  B.  Cox  who  placed  it  in 
the  college  as  an  evidence  of  a  father's  love  to 
his  son,  whose  piety,  bright  intellect,  desire 
for  knoweledge  and  love  of  honae  and  family 
did  honor  to  his  home  and  parents. 

Elder  Jesse  Jones  was  a  minister  of  the 
gospel  in  the  Baptist  church  for  more  than 
sixty  years.     He  was  loved  and   respected  as 


48  FOOT  PRINTS  ON 

a  faithful  good  man,  the  fruits  of  whose  labor 
will  hve  and  live  on  for  years  to  come,  while  he 
is  receiving  a  rich  reward  for  his  faithful  m  in. 
isterial  labor.  William  Smith,  in  the  (Dunk- 
ard)  German  Baptist  church,  was  one  of  the 
early  preachers  of  Floyd  county.  He  built 
up  an  extensive  church  and  was  truly  a  good 
and  successful  preacher.  It  is  a  source  of 
pleasing  recollection  and  grateful  apprecia- 
tion to  the  author  of  these  sketches  to  remem- 
ber the  large  number  of  Methodist  preacher?, 
local  and  itinerant,  who  labored  so  faithfully 
for  the  good  of  society  and  advancement  of 
the  Redeemer's  cause  on  earth — the  salvation 
of  souls  and  glory  of  God.  We  are  glad  to  re- 
cord the  names  of  the  servants  of  theblessed 
Redeemer  who  obeyed  the  command:  "Go 
thou  and  preach  the  kingdom  of  God.  "  John 
Cecil,  George  Godby,  Henry  Bishop,  Alfred 
Goodykoontz,  David  Howell,  Jacob  Bishop, 
Flias  Skelton,  Richard  Buckingham  and  Wil- 
liam Thompson  who  labored  faithfully  to 
build  up  the  Master's  kingdom  of  righteous 
ness  on  earth,  and  as  instruments  in  the 
church  of  Christ,  saved  souls.  Among  the 
faithful  servants  in  the  Master's  vineyard 
none  probably  did  more  for  the  cause  of 
Christianity  tlian  Rsv.      William  Thompson, 


THE  SANDS  OF  TIME.  49 

especially  in  Methodist  doctrine  and  discip- 
line. His  life,  witli  the  others  mentioned,  will 
live  embalmed  in  sacred  memory.  There  are 
many  worthy  people  of  Floyd  county  whose 
names  are  entitled  to  a  record  in  cominemo- 
ration  of  their  valuable  lives,  but  it  is  impossi- 
ble to  insert  it  all  herein.  One  other  we  will 
refer  to  is  known  as  old  uncle  Blanch  Duncan, 
a  natural  genius  in  wood  work,  and  iron;  a 
carpenter,  mih-wright  and  blacksmith;  a  good 
neighbor  and  worthy  citizen,  who  lived  on 
Indian  creek. 


^rf^     S^ 


50  FOOT  PRllSTS  ON 


CHAPTER  V. 
SOUTH-WESTERN  VIRGINIA. 
Graysox  County. 

Grayson  county  contains  the  south-west- 
ern corner  of  Virginia.  The  Iron  mountain 
on  tlie  north,  Stone  mountain  on  the  west, 
Blue  Ridge  on  the  south  form  its  boundarj^ 
^hite  Top,  Balsam  and  Pond  mountains  clus- 
tering together  at  the  north-west  corner  of 
the  county  make  a  valley  of  rich  alluvial  soil. 
The  count}^  contains  forests  of  fine  timber, 
crystal  streams  of  clear,  cold  water.  It  pro- 
duces fine  crops  of  wheat,  rye,  oats,  corn  and 
buckwheat,  and  vegetables  of  great  variety. 

The  county  is  divided  into  two  valleys  by 
Buck  mountain.  The  valley  of  New  River  is 
on  the  south  side  and  Elk  Creek  valley  on   the 


THE  SANDS  OF  TIME.  51 

North  side.  The  advantages  possessed  in 
this  locahty  for  good  homes  attracted  the  at- 
tention of  early  immigrants  who  sought  a 
place  of  residence  in  this  (Eldorado)  new  ter- 
ritory. 

The  following  are  the  names  of  some  of 
the  leading  famihes  that  settled  at  an  early 
date  and  made  their  early  homes  in  Grayson 
county :  Orsbornes,  Coxes,  Reeveses,  Hashes > 
Phippses,  Wards,  Hales,  Tultons,  Ferrells, 
Borings,  Thomases  and  Perkinses,  whose  lin- 
eal decendants  have  in  some  degree  gone  to 
help  populate  almost  every  state  west  of    the 

Pacific  coast. 

Esquire  Enoch  Orsborn  and  family  set- 
tled on  New  River,  in  what  is  known  as  Bridle 
Creek,  but  for  many  years  known  as  Orsborn 
settlement.  About  the  same  time  other  fam- 
ilies located  there .  Enoch  Orsborn  had  three 
brothers,  Solomon,  Ephraim  and  Jonathan, 
who  came  to  the  county  with  their  famihes 
about  the  same  time. 

A  fort  was  built  on  the  farm  now  occu- 
pied and  owned  by  Joshua  Orsborne  and  son, 
John,  at  Ansella  post  office.  Indian  deprada- 
tions  were  common  on  the  border  settlements, 
and  preparations  for  protection  and  defense 
was  necessary.     It  was  fortunate  for  society 


52  FOOT  PRllSTS  ON 

that  the  first  settlers  were   people    of    moral 
worth  and  piety. 

Enoch  Or  sborne  and  wife  were  professors 
of  religion  and  aided  in  planting  the  standard 
of  christian  civilization  over  the  land  that  \^  as 
recently  inhabited  by  savages.  An  incident 
occurred  with  the  Osborne  brothers  in  their 
newly  occupied  territory  that  tells  of  the 
dangers  and  exposures  to  which  pioneer  set- 
tlers were  subjected.  Enoch  Or  shorn  and 
brothers,  Solomom  and  Ephraim,  went  into 
what  is  now  Wautauga,  N.  C,  on  a  hunting 
trip — deer  being  plentiful  in  that  sectioa — 
and  getting  wet  by  a  shower  of  rain  and  wet 
bushes  struck  up  camp,  hung  up  their  wet 
clothes  by  the  camp-fire  and  lay  down  to 
sleep.  The  Indians  surprised  them  by  shoot- 
ing and  kilhng  Solomon  Orsborn.  An  Indian 
chased  Enoch  some  distance  and  lost  him  in 
the  dark.  Ephraim,  after  fleeing  from  camp, 
carefully  crept  back  in  the  dark  to  his  mare 
that  was  fastened  with  a  hickory-bark  halter 
to  a  tree,  loosed  her  and  rode  home.  Enoch 
Orsborne  returned  home  without  shoes  and 
in  his  night  clothing.  The  author  of  these 
sketches  learned  these  facts  from  Mrs.  Mary 
McMuller  who,  before  lier  marriage,  was  iVIiss 
Mary  Woods,  granddaughter  of  Solomon  Ors- 


THE  SANDS  OP  TIME.  53 

born  who  was  murdered  by  the  Indians,  and 
married  Hon.  Fayette  McMuller,  member  of 
congress  from  Scott  county  in  his  district  in 
Virginia  for  several  sessions.  It  was  at  the 
old  fort  where  Esquire  Enoch  Orsborn,  Sr. , 
first  located  a  home.  He  married  a  Miss 
Hash.  Their  home  was  a  resting  place  for 
the  way-worn  traveling  preachers.  The  vener- 
able Bishop  Ashbury  in  after  years  called 
with  them,  rested  and  took  refreshments 
as  he  was  making  his  ministerial  tour  through 
this  newly  settled  country,  preaching  the 
gospel. 

Captain  John  Cox  and  his  brother,  David, 
moved  to  Grayson  county  and  settled  on  New 
River  about  ten  miles  west  of  Grayson  old 
Court  House.  John  Cox  was  captain  of  the 
Regulators  of  this  part  of  the  state  duringthe 
Rovolutionary  war  and,  as  far  as  he  could, 
kept  peace  and  prevented  crime.  In  after 
years  he  moved  to  the  mouth  of  Cranberry 
Creek,  Ashe  county,  N.  C,  south  fork  of 
New  River,  made  and  cultivated  a  large  farm 
and  raised  live  stock,  and  where,  when  life's 
arduous  toils  were  over,  was  buried  in  the 
family  graveyard.  His  body  rests  in  peace. 
His  old  residence  is  owned  in  part  by  Ellis 
McNeill  at  this  time       They    had    two    sons, 


54  FOOT  PRINTS  ON 

James  and  Joshua.  James  Cox  married 
widow  Terrell,  Joshua  Cox  married  a  Miss 
Richardson.  Their  daughters  married  as  fol- 
lows: Catherine  m-irried  Henry  Harden- 
Cynthia  married  Wilham  Gambill,  Jane  mar, 
ried  Canada  Richardson,  another  daughter 
(name  unknown)  married  Thomas  McGimpsy, 
and  snother  daughter  (name  unknow  n)  mar 
ried  a  Mr.  Baker. 

David  Cox,  brother  of  Captain  John  Cox, 
moved  his  family  to  Grayson  county  and  lo- 
cated their  home  in  the  same  neighborhood 
where  his  brother,  Captain  John  Cox  stopped 
for  several  years — on  New  River,  tenor  twelve 
mil«-s  west  of  Grayson  old  Court  House. 
David  Cox's  wife  was  a  Miss  McGowan 
They  had  seven  sons  aiiu  three  daughters, 
whose  lives  were  directly  ctmnected  witii  oth- 
er good  citizens  in  laboring  for  the  interest 
of  the  county  in  all  that  pertained  to  success, 
prosperity  and  future  liappiness. 

George  Reeves  and  famiJy  settled  in  the 
sa  me  neighborhood.  They  came  from  eastern 
Virginia.  Mr.  Reeves'  wife's  maiden  name 
was  Burton.  She  was  a  pious  Christian  wo- 
man whose  counsel  and  example  still  lives. 
They  had  four  scms  and  four  daughters  who 
met  the  responsibilities  of  their  day  with    en- 


THE  SANDS  OF  TIME.  55 

er^y  and  success.  Benjamin  Phipps  came 
from  Rowan  county,  N.  C,  settled  on  Bridle 
Creek.  His  brother,  Isaiah  came  about  the 
same  time,  as  did  also  the  tlash family.  Ben- 
jamin Phipps  married  Miss  Jane  Hash,  an  ex- 
cellent good  woman  She  hved  to  be  near 
one  hundred  years  old;  hved  to  see  her  chil- 
dren and  grandchildren  to  the  fourth  genera- 
tion. 

William  Boring  and  family  were  early  set- 
tlers who  built  the  first  iron  works  in  the 
county.  The  place  is  known  as  the  old  fur- 
nace on  Rock  Creek  now  owned  by  Joshua 
Cox.  Mr,  Boring  was  clerk  of  the  county  for 
anumber  of  years.  Their  daughter,  Mary 
married  Col.  Martin  Dickenson  who  resided 
at  Old  Town,  was  county  clerk  and  hotel  keep- 
er. Their  son,  William  Boring,  Jr.,  was  a 
worthy  citizen.  He  and  his  excellent  wife 
raised  a  family  that  did  honor  to  their  parents 
and  country.  Their  daughter,  Miss  Lucinda 
married  Preelin  Nucko'ls  who  moved  to  Chy- 
enne,  Wyoming  Territory,  and  was  the  first 
representative  of  the  Territory  in  congress 
Richard  Hale  settled  on  Elk  Creek  with  his 
brothers,  William,  Frank,  Dudley,  Louis, 
Stephen  and  John.  William  Hale  married  a 
Miss  Stone-       Stephen    and    Louis    married 


56  FOOT  PRIMTS  ON 

each  a  Miss  Boring.  Frank  and  Dudley  mar- 
ried each  a  Miss  Burrus.  John  married  a 
Miss  Blair.  These  were  industrious,  perse- 
vering citizens  and  helped  materially  to  ad 
vance  the  best  interests  of  Grayson  county 
We  refer  to  some  of  their  descendants  father 
over. 

Andrew  Bampton  and  his  brother,  Wade 
Hampton  came  ovpr  from  England  and  settled 
near  Lexington .  N.  C.  Andrew  Hampton,  J  r. , 
married  Miss  Salhe  Mima  Their  son,  Griggs 
Hampton  married  Miss  Phillis  Sutherland 
Tbev  raised  nine  sons  and  five  daughters. 
Mr.  Hampton's  nice  farm  is  a  few  miles  west 
of  Grayson  Old  Town,  where  he  and  his  fami- 
ly enjoyed  a  happy  home.  It  is  a  beau'iful 
homestead  Their  s'^n.  Litle  H.  Hampton 
who  lives  near  there,  is  a  practical  farmer  and 
fruitgrower.  His  excellent  wife  was  Miss 
Nancy  Blevins,  grandaughter  of  Esquire  Sam. 
uel  and  Rebecca  Cox.  Hemper  Hampton 
married  Miss  Anna  Nuckolls  and  resided  in 
the  county.  He  was  a  good  farmer  and  busi- 
ness man  and  raised  an  industrious  worthy 
family. 

John  Clemens — whose    wife  was    a   Miss 
Nuckolls— lived  at  Grayson  Old  Court  House. 


THE  SANDS  OF  TIME.  57 

He  kept  a  hotel  Their  sons  were  Frank, 
Logan  and  John,  their  daughter,  .Jiile  John 
went  to  Nebraska  and  was  the  first  person 
buried  in  the  cemetery  at  Nebraska  City. 

Amos  Ballard  and  family  Uved  at  Gray- 
son Old  Court  House  The  old  gentleman's 
business  was  to  "cry  sales"— an  auctioneer- 
but  laughed  most  of  the  time,  or  rather  made 
others  laugh  while  he  was  crying. 

Major  Anderson — whose  wife  was  a  Miss 
Nuckolls— resided  in  the  county.  He  was  a 
prominent  citizen  of  Grayson  county.  Their 
sons  were  Robert,  Orville  and  Garland.  Rob- 
ert and  family  moved  to  Atchison  -County, 
Mo.  They  were  pious  members  of  the  M.  E. 
church  South  and  rendered  efficient  assist- 
ance in  building  the  first  church  edifice  for 
the  M.  E.  church  South  in  the  county.  Ma- 
jor Orville  Anderson  was  one  of  the  best 
clerks  in  south-western  Virginia.  His  bright 
intellect,  devoted  christian  life,  and  example 
still  live.  Garland  Anderson  was  a  quiet 
good  citizen. 

Samuel  Fulton  and  family    lived    on    Elk' 
Creek.     He  served  his    people  as   Justice  of 
the  Peace  for  many  years.      Their   son.   Rev. 
Creed  Fulton  was  a  minister  of  the  gospel  in 
the  M.  E  church  South — a  distinguished pul- 


58  FOOT  PRINTS  ON 

pit  orator— and  a  zealous  successful  friend  of 
education.  It  was  in  greater  part  through  his 
agency  that  Emory  &  Henry  college  was  es- 
tablished. The  college  is  a  monument  of 
what  fairh,  patience,  energy  and  persever- 
ance willaccomplish. 

Monroe  Fulton —whose  wife  was  a  Miss 
Reid— is  a  good  citizen.  He  has  raised  afam- 
ily  of  sons  and  daughters  noted  for  their  love 
of  literature,  pietj^  and  religion.  His  sonsare 
preachers  and  lawyers. 

The  location  for  Grayson  Court  House 
was  first  made  when  Grayson  and  Carroll 
were  one  county — named  Greenville — now 
known  as  Old  Town.  After  the  division  of  the 
county  Independeace  was  the  place  selected 
for  the  new  coanty  site.  The  location  is  well 
selected  and  is  a  pleasant  place  for  a  home. 
The  town  contains  stores  and  print-shops. 
The  population  of  the  town  is  composed  of 
intelligent,  praiseworthy  people — Doctors, 
lawyers,  mechanics,  teachers  and  so  forth. 
The  abundant  yield  of  cereals,  tine  fllavored 
fruits  and  great  variety  of  vegetables  make 
this  count\^  among  the  foremost  iu  that  line. 
Here  you  will  find  an  inexhaustible  supply  of 
clear,  cold  water,  salubrious  air  and  a  healthy 
climate.     Here  are    beautiful    country    resi- 


THE  SANDS  OF  TIME.  59 

deuces,  fine  dwelling  houses,  mansions  and 
palaces  surrounded  by  lovely  shade  trees  and 
flowers  of  2'ichest  hue,  make  the  farmer's  in- 
terest paramount  to  all  other  branches  of 
business.  It  is  said  in  holy  writ  that  the 
land  of  Canaan  flowed  with  milk  and  honey. 
Grayson  county  produces  plentifully  of  both 
these  articles.  Christian  culture  in  tlie  fami- 
ly circle  is  delightfully  displayed.  The 
sweet-spirited,  refined  female  courtesy,  the 
affable  genial,  kindness  of  proprietors,  sons 
and  others  of  the  residences  make  the  chris- 
tian home  an  earthly  paradise,  where  the 
fruits  of  industry  and  economy  have  furnished 
the  most  luxurious  festive  tables,  prepared 
by  the  greatest  skill  that  female  genius  could 
present.  These  kind  entertainments  are 
found  in  many  families  in  the  county  of  Gray- 
son. 

Following  is  a  biographical  sketch  of  some 
prominent  families  and  of  the  public  services 
rendered  by  people  who  held  official  positions  : 
Joshua  Cox  married  Ruth Orsborn and  settled 
on  Bridle  Creek,  a  rich  and  fertile  vahey, 
where  nature  has  lavished  her  rich  gifts  and 
industry  and  art  developed  them,  Joshua 
Cox  was  ag-ood  citizen  and  did    much   toward 


60  FOOT  PRINTS  ON 

advancing  the  best  interests  of  his  neighbor- 
iiood.  They  raised  four  sons  and  three 
daughters,  namely:  John,  David,  Hardin  and 
Isom,  Hannah.  Jennie  and  Margaret.  Hardin 
married  Nacy  Reeves,  a  zealous  christian  and 
active  worker  in  the  Methodist  church.  Har- 
din served  his  county  as  Justice  of  the  Peace 
for  many  years  and  was  assessor  when  Gray- 
son and  Carroll  were  one  county.  He  was  a 
systematic  farmer.  They  raised  a  worthy 
family,  such  as  is  a  blessing  to  any  communi- 
ty. Their  eldest  son  fell  in  the  Confederate 
army,  a  brave  soldier— honored  and  respect- 
ed— who  laid  his  life  on  his  country's  altar 
Esquire  Elbert  S.  Cox  and  family  live 
near  the  old  homestead.  He  married  Miss 
Jane  Hampton,  an  excellent  woman.  They 
have  a  son  now  practicing  law.  Joshua  Mc- 
G-owan  Cox  and  family  live  at  the  old  family 
residence  They  are  a  nice  family  and  have  a 
pleasant  home.  Enoch  Cox,  another  brother 
married  Sasan  Thomas,  an  amiable  good  wo- 
man. Their  daughter,  Mollie  married  Zecha- 
riah  Orsborn,  Jr.,  a  young  man  of  superior 
talents,  piety  and  industry,  who  died  in  the 
prime  of  life  leaving  a  widow  with  the  care  of 
raising  a  family.  This  lady's  bright  intelli- 
gence qualifies  her  to   raise    under    christian 


^THE  SANDS  OF  TIME.  61 

culture  a  family  of  children  whose   superior 
talents  promise  a  bright  future. 

John  Cox,  son  of  Joshua  Cox,  married 
Miss  Nellie  Ward.  They  raised  a  large  fami- 
ly. Their  son,  Andrew  J.  Cox  fell  in  the  Con- 
federate army  an  honored  soldier.  This  no- 
ble boy's  death  was  deeply  lamented  by  many 
friends.  Jesse  Cox  is  still  living.  He  has 
a  good  family  and  is  himself  agood  citizen  and 
neighbor.  Another  brother,  Benjamin  Cox 
has  an  excellent  wife.  They  enjoy  life  in 
quietude  and  peace,  wisely  preparing  for  the 
enjoyment  of  this  life  and  church  privileges, 
laying  up  treasures  in  heaven.  Aras  B.  Cox, 
the  youngest  son  of  this  family,  hvts  on  the 
old  homestead  of  his  parents.  He  has  been 
twice  married;  first  to  a  Miss  Parsons,  second 
to  Miss  Lucy  Boyer.  He  is  a  good  citizen  and 
has  provided  well  for  the  temporal  comforts 
of  life  and  is  laying  up  treasures  in  the  chris- 
tian's home  in  heaven.  They  have  a  nice  fam- 
ily. Their  son,  Alexander  and  daughter, 
Ida,  who  now  remain  with  their  parents,  are 
intelligent  and  pleasant  young  people.  Their 
younger  children  are  cheerful  and  mannerly, 
thus  giving  evidence  of  good  family  govern- 
ment. 

There  are  many  whose  record  we  cannot 


62  FOOT  PRIT^TS  ON 

trace,  whose  lives  and  noble  deeds  are  worthy 
of  commemoration  but  it  would  crowd  this 
work  too  much  to  put  them  on  record,  so,  we 
will  only  present  a  few  names  of  those  who 
have  been  distinguished  in  temporal  pursuits 
and  ofi&cial  positions  m  public  hfe. 

Captain  Joseph  Phipps — who  married 
Miss  Nancy  McMillan — was  one  of  Grayson 
county's  best  farmers,  a  man  of  great  energy 
and  a  successful  manager  of  business.  He 
acquired  a  handsome  amount  of  property  and 
raised  a  worthy  family.  He  and  his  excel- 
lent wife  went  down  to  their  graves  honored, 
loved  and  respected.  Joseph  Bryant— whose 
first  wife  was  Miss  Sallie  Hale— lived  near 
Bridle  Creek  post  office  and  owned  a  good 
farm  cultivated  under  the  most  improved 
methods.  He  and  his  excellent  wife  were 
zealous  members  of  the  M.  E.  Church  South. 
They  raised  a  family  of  children  that  honored 
their  parents  and  community  where  they 
lived. 

Samuel  Cox  married  Miss  Elizabeth 
Thomas.  They  lived  near  Bridle  Creek.  He 
and  his  amiable  christian  wife  were  advocates 
of  education  and  contributed  to  its  success  as 
far  as  they  could  with  limited  opportunities. 
They  owned  a    pleasant  home  and  raised  an 


THE  SANDS  OF  TIME.  63 

intelligent  and    worthy    family    of    children . 

Enoch  Ward  and  family  lived  up  in  the 
coves  on  the  south  side  of  Buck  mountain. 
He  was  a  harmless  man  of  genial  kindness 
and  loved  for  friends  to  visit  him  in  his  isola- 
ted home.  They  farmed  and  cultivated  bees, 
and  when  friends  visited  them  not  only  gave 
them  freely  of  the  honey  but  would  have  them 
go  in  the  room  where  the  honey  was  stored 
away  and  lift  the  cans  of  strainedhoney.  But 
these  good  old  people  have  gone  to  their 
graves.     Peace  to  their  quiet  rest. 

One  of  the  greatest  improvements  in  this 
part  of  the  county  is  Bridle  Creek  Academy, 
boarding  houses  and  fine  churches.  It  is  a 
locality  of  beautiful  farms  and  orchards,  fine 
family  residences,  and  a  population  of  enlight- 
ened christian  people.  Board — with  well 
furnished  tables  and  good  lodging — can  be 
obtained  at  reasonable  rates  Professor 
Gardner  has  conducted  this  academy  with  en- 
tire satisfation  to  students,  parents  and  guar- 
dians, and  the  institution  continues  to  grow 
in  interest  and  usefulness. 

We  have  given  a  statement  of  some  of  the 
prominent  families  that  first  settled  in  Gray- 
son county  with  events  of  their  day.  There 
are  certain  facts  we    have  carefully   culled — 


64  FOOT  PRINTS  ON 

true  and  reliable— that  are  worthy  of  record 
on  the  golden  pages  of  history  that  many  peo- 
ple with  little  patriotic  Jove  of  country  and  its 
bright  early  history  will  regard  as  small 
things,  but  they  will  give  the  pleasing  recol- 
lection of  what  principle  with  perseverance 
will  accomplish.  The  people  of  Grayson  coun- 
ty were  made  up  of  friends  c>f  the  colonists 
and  were  true  to  the  principles  of  liberty  and 
justice, 

Jn  reviewing  the  history  of  the  past,  when 
the  people,  through  hardships,  privations  and 
toils,  hid  the  foundation  for  higher  degrees 
of  happiness  and  richer  states  of  enjoyment, 
we  contrast  the  past  with  the  present  condi- 
tion of  Bridle  Creek  s'^ttleaient  when  it  was 
made  up  of  a  few  emigrants  in  a  wild,  Indian 
country,  with  their  only  trust  in  a  kind  Provi- 
dence and  a  little  fort  for  defense,  with  the 
noble  spirit  of  martyrs  and  the  present  con 
dition— with  an  institution  of  'earning,  fine 
buildings,  academy,  church, boarding-houses, 
well  qualified  professors  and  teachers,  under 
strict  moral  and  religious  government,  sur- 
rounded by  rich  farm=;,  beautiful  dwe'hnofs 
and  refined  society.  What  great  cause  for  us 
to  hft  up  oar  hearts  to  God  m  grateful  re 
membrance  for  such  ancestors;  whosacrificed 


THE  SANDS  OP  Tl ME.  65 

so  much;  who  paved  the  way  for  what  we  now 
enjoy  I 

Advancement  from  lower  to  hio^her  de- 
grees has  characterized  the  physical, 
mental  and  moral  universe  of  God.  Human 
instrumentalities  are  employed  to  carry  out 
the  great  work  of  art  and  science  for  the  es- 
tablishment of  human  happiness.  When  we 
consider  the  fact  that  the  seeds  of  moral  ex- 
cellence were  sown  in  the  hearts  of  children 
by  parents  that  would  blossom  and  bear  fruit 
in  after  years  we  are  thankful  to  our  ances- 
tors. We  select  a  few  out  of  the  many  worthy 
people  who  labored  with  each  other  and  de- 
serve the  highestpraise. 

Isom  Cox — who  married  Miss  Jincey 
Phipps,  an  accomplished,  intelligent  lady  ;  an 
ornament  to  her  home  and  a  blessing  to  her 
family— was  one  of  Grayson  county's  best 
citzens  and  largest  farmers.  He  owned  the 
land  where  Bridle  Creek  academy  and  church 
are  located.  Isom  Cox  did  much  for  church 
and  state.  He- was  ever  ready  to  assist  in  any 
laudable  enterprise  for  the  good  of  society. 
He  and  his  faithful  wife  were  members  of  the 
Methodist  church  South.  Their  example  was 
a  priceless  heritage  to  their  children.  The 
children  have  honored  their  parents- by  follow- 


66  FOOT  PRINTS  ON 

ing  both  pi-ocept  and  example.  Their  only 
two  sons,  Haywood  and  Jasper  fell  in  the  Con- 
federate army.  Nobler  young  men  and  better 
soldiers  never  honored  an  army  or  country. 

Columbus  Phipps married  Nannie  daugh- 
ter of  Isom  and  Jincej^  Cox.  Mr.  Phipps  has 
used  more  than  ordinary  energy  in  a'l  that 
pertains  to  temporal  business  and  religious 
duties.  His  faithful  services  as  superintend- 
ent of  the  Sunday  school  has  done  much  to 
advance  the  number  of  its  members  and  inter- 
est—a work  of  so  much  importance  in  train- 
ing the  minds  and  habits  of  life  in  successful 
pursuit  of  temporal  business  and  preparation 
for  the  re>t,  association  and  bliss  of  heaven. 
The  home  of  Mr.  Phipps  and  excellent  family 
shows  what  industry  and  economy  can  do 
He  has  a  fine  farm,  improved  stock  and  stately 
dwellings.  His  hope  of  a  mansion  in  the  bet- 
ter world  is  well  founded,  what  deep  grati- 
tude we  should  feel  to  the  giver  of  every  good 
and  perfect  gift  and  rewarder  of  them  that 
dihgently  seek  nim 

Captain  Melville  B   Co.k,  a  prominent  citi 
zen  has  contributed  much   to  every  laudable 
enterprise  for  the  improvement  of   his   coun- 
try and  good  of  s  )ciety.     His  wife  was     Miss 
Martha  Fulton,  a  lady   of  cultivated  inteUect 


ThTE  SANDS  OF  TIME,  67 

and  refinement.  Captain  Cox  is  a  successful 
farmer,  proprietor  of  a  fine  mercantile  flour 
mill,  dealer  in  live  stock,  and  has  assisted  ma- 
teriaUy  in  establishing  Bridle  Creek  Acade- 
my .  His  son,  Joseph  Cox  has  beenan  efficient 
teacher  in  the  academy  and  has  for  some  time 
been  a  law  student  in  Washington  City  where 
he  took  the  highest  degree  on  examination  in 
a  class  with  Yale  and  Harvard  students  (so 
I  am  informed).  Captain  Cox  and  wife  are 
devoted  members  of  the  Methodist  church 
South.  Their  example  in  the  family  circle 
and  community  will  live  when  they  are  gone 
from  time,  having  assisted  other  good  people 
with  whom  they  associated  in  this  life  to  obey 
the  counsel  of  the  great  apostle  to  the  Gentile, 
"Let  us  go  on  to  perfection  " 

In  summing  up  the  biographical  sketches 
of  the  lives  of  people  and  lineal  decendants  of 
ancestors  there  are  many  whose  lives  and  la- 
bors we  would  like  to  record  but  the  limits  of 
this  work  will  not  admit.  We  will,  however, 
give  briefly  a  limited  list  of  some  of  the  citi- 
zens—people that  have  been  an  honor  to  the 
country  and  blessing  to  the  community. 
Enoch  Orsborn,  Jr.,  was  an  example  of  moral 
excellence.  He  married  Jincey  Burton,  alady 
of  deep  piety,  a  faitliful  wife  and  affectionate 


68  FOOT  PRINTS  ON 

mother  Soloman  Orsborn  who,  in  an  emi- 
nent degree,  was  what  has  been  st^^led  the 
noblest  work  of  God,  was  an  honest  man.  His 
amiable  christian  wife  who,  before  her  mar 
riage  was  Hannah  Cox,  enjoj^ed  with  their 
family  a  happy  home  on  the  Old  Fort  farm 
Esquire  David  Cox  married  Miss  Jane  Dough- 
ton,  a  patien,  quiet  good  christian  and  faith- 
ful good  wife  and  affectionate  mother.  Hon. 
Fielding  J.  Hale,  state  senator  from  Madison, 
Nebraska,  is  their  grandson. 

John  H.  Perkins  and  family  resided  in 
this  county,  a  good  neighbor  and  worthy  citi- 
zen. Robert  Pugh — who  married  a  Miss 
Thomas — was  a  good  and  upright  citizen  and 
raised  a  family  of  children  that  did  honor  to 
parents  and  county,  Ezekiel  Young,  of  Wil- 
son Creek,  married  Miss  Eveline  McMillanand 
raised  an  excellent  family.  Mr.  Young  and 
amiable  wife  and  most  of  their  children, many 
in  number,  were  zealous,  faithful  members  of 
the  Methodist  church  South  and  did  much  to 
establish  piety  and  religion  in  their  neighbor- 
hood These  good  parents  have  gone  to  reap 
their  rich  reward  on  the  other  side  of  the  riv- 
er in  the  christian's  home  in  heaven. 

Esquire  William  Grubb  and  kind  wife 
and  worthy  family  lived  on  the  road  near  the 


THE  SANDS  OF  TIME.  69 

mountain  lepding  from  the  mouih  of  Wilson 
to  Marion,  Va,  He  was  an  upright  man.  He 
and  his  amiable  wife  raised  a  good  family. 
Many  a  wearied  traveler  rested  in  their  hos 
pitable  home  of  entertainment.  Gordon  Per- 
kins married  a  Miss  Stamper  and  liv^ed  on 
Wilson  Creek.  They  were  good  people  and 
raised  a  worthy  family. 

Fielding  Young  married  Miss  Rena 
Phipps,  daughter  of  Captain  Joseph  Phipps 
He  and  his  devoted  wife  were  members  of  the 
Methodist  church  South.  They  took  an  act- 
ive part  in  preparing  to  entertain  the  people 
who  attended  the  meeting  at  the  old  Wilson 
camp-meeting  ground.  Wnile  listeniiTg  to  the 
proclamation  of  the  gospel  delivered  in  elo- 
quence and  power,  the  weeping  of  mourners, 
shouts  of  converts  and  prr.ises  to  God 
from  christians  thrilled  the  soul  with  ecstacy 
and  joy. 

Colonel  Stephen  Hale,  of  El'i  Cree^:,  mar- 
ried Miss  Charlotte  Dickerson,  a  christian 
lady  who  adorned  the  family  circle.  She 
offered  uppubhc  prayer  and  delivered  earnest 
exhortations.  Col.  Hale  and  wife  and  most  of 
their  family  were  devoted  members  of  the 
Methodist  church  South.  If  every  fami  'y  lived 
as  Mr,  Hales' Uved  this    would    be    a    happy 


70  FOOT  PRINTS  ON 

■world.  There  would  be  no  need  of  jails  or 
penitentiaries,  and  we  would  not  be  taxed  so 
high.  Col.  Hale  married  the  second  time  Mrs. 
Mitchell  who  was  a  noble  christian  woman, 
and  one  who  gave  peace  and  happiness,  in  the 
love  of  God,  to  the  home  of  these  good  people, 
where  their  sun  of  Jife  sat  beneath  a  cloudless 
sky  to  rise  in  the  resurrection  morn. 

Col.  Eh  Cornette,  of  Elk  Creek,  was  a 
leading  citizen.  He  and  his  excellent  wife 
raised  a  worthy  family.  The  Colonel's  neph- 
ew, George  W.  Cornette  married  Miss  Sarah 
Gentry,  daughter  of  Col.  Allen  and  Rebecca 
Gentry,  of  N.  C,  just  such  a  lady  as  will  make 
a  contented  husband  and  happy  home.  Judge 
Cornette  has  filled  several  offices  with  honor 
to  himself  and  satisfaction  to  his  people. 

Samuel  Cox,  Jr.,  resides  on  the  old  home 
stead  where  his  parents,  Samuel  Cox,  Sr  , 
and  faithful  good  wife  lived  Samuel  Cox,  Jr  , 
married  Miss  Phebe  Orsborn. — (Phebe,  a 
name  venerated  from  the  servant  of  Cenchrea 
who  carried  St  Pa al's  epistle  to  the  Romans 
from  Corinth  to  Rome.)  Mr.  Cox  and  broth- 
ers, Alexander  and  Callaway  married  sisters. 
They  and  their  famihes  live  in  the  same 
neighborhood  near  tlie  mouth  of  Little  River, 
true  types  of  their  patriotic  ancestors. 


THE  SANDS  OP  TIME.  71 

George  Reeves,  Sr.,  and  family  came  from 
Drury's  Bluff,  below  Richmond,  settled 
on  New  River,  some  live  or  six  miles  south- 
east of  Independence  where  they  remained 
to  the  close  of  life.  Their  sons  were  Jesse, 
William,  George  and  John,  their  daughters 
Anna,  Charity,  Mary  and  Susan.  Jesse 
married  a  Miss  Terrell  and  moved  to  the 
mouth  of  Peak  Creek  on  New  River,  Ashe 
county,  N.  C  ,  on  a  farm  made  by  old  Mr. 
Dick,  one  of  the  first  settlers  of  the  county. 
William  Reeves  also  married  a  Miss  Terrell 
and  moved  to  iVlleghany  county,  N.  C,  (as  it 
now  is).  George  Reeves  married  Miss  Jane 
Orsborn,  a  woman  possessed  of  a  high  order 
of  talent,  genial  disposition,  industrious  hab- 
its, kindhearted  and  pious.  Mr.  Reeves 
moved  to  where  Esquire  Charles  H.  Dough- 
ton  and  son.  Rev.  J.  B.  Doughton  now  live. 
He  was  an  energetic  business  man,  and  while 
serving  his  county  as  an  officer  excecuted 
some  horses  and  was  carrying  them  away 
when  the  owner  followed  and  shot  and  mor- 
tally wounded  him.  He  left  a  widow  and  sev- 
en children,  Jesse,  Enoch,  George,  Mary, 
Nancy,  Rebecca  and  Cynthia  John  Reeves 
married  Miss  Phebe  Orsborn,  of  whom  it  may 
be  t!  uly  said,  was  a  true  type  of  womanhood 


72  FOOT  PRINTS  ON 

in  all  that  was  good  and  lovely.  Mr.  Reeves 
and  family  occupied  the  old  homestead  Mr. 
Reeves  not  only  left  a  gool  home  for  his  fami- 
ly but  a  richer  legacy,  that  -of  industry,  pru- 
dence, economy  and  honesty.  His  pious 
christian  wife  was  ever  a  treasury  of  love. 
John  Reeves  and  excellent  wife  raised  a  fami- 
Iv  to  be  proud  of.  Rev.  Orsborn  Reeves  mar- 
ried Rebecca  Orsborn,  of  whom  it  may  well 
be  said,  was  truly  a  helpmeet.  The  cheer- 
ful facC;  pleasant  expression,  kind  words,  and 
neat  dwelling  made  their  home  a  home  of  joy 
and  comfort  Mr.  Reeves  was  apreacher  and 
Elder  in  the  Protestant  Methodist  church. 
Their  son,  John  Reeves,  a  boy  soldier  fell  in 
the  Confederate  army.  The  testament  in 
his  left  vest  pocket  was  cut  through  with  the 
bullbt  that  took  his  life.  His  immortal  spirit 
took  its  flight  to  realms  of  bliss,  where  no  bat- 
tle-scarred, patriotic,  country -loving  soldier 
boy's  body  will  ever  suffer,  but  will  stand 
with  the  snow-whit*^  army  of  the  redeemed  to 
adore,  to  all  eternity,  the  Captain- General  of 
the  world's  salvation.  Mr.  Reevesand  family 
lived  in  Geo'-gia,  not  far  from  Cave  Springs 
but  some  years  later  moved  West.  Col. 
George  W.  Reeves  and  family  lived  many 
yeai's  in  Ashe  county,  N.  C  ,  to  which  we  will 


THE  SANDS  OP  TIME.  73 

refer  later.  Jesse  A.  Reeves  married  his 
cousin,  Miss  Charity  Reeves,  and  Uved  in 
Ashe  county,  N.  C.  John  Reeves,  Jr.,  the 
yoangest  son  married  Miss  Mary  Reeves,  an 
amiable  young  woman,  and  resided  with  the 
old  people.  He  had  the  honor  and  pleasing 
task  of  taking  care  of  his  parents  in  the  even- 
ing of  life  Mr.  Reeves  died  when  compara- 
lively  a  young  man.  His  body,  with  his  fath- 
er. John  Reeves,  Sr.,  and  sainted  wife  and 
mother  res^sin  the  family  graveyard  toawait 
the  shrill  whisile  of  Gabriel's  trumpet  to  call 
them  in  the  resurrection  morn. 

Preston  Reeves,  son  of  John  and  widow, 
Polly  Reeves  married  Elizabeth,  daugh- 
ter of  Tsom  and  Jincey  Cox.  Mr.  Reeves  and 
worthy  wife,  by  prudence  and  economy  have 
provided  well  for  home  and  comforts  of  life. 
They  are  an  honor  to  family  s  and  country. 
Captain  Taliaferro  Witcher  married  Miss  Jane 
Reeves  and  moved  to  N.  C.  His  life  and  pub- 
lic services  will  be  treated  in  their  proper 
places.  Miss  Lucy  Reeves  married  Esquire 
James  Gambill  Miss  Mahala  Reeves  married 
Rev,  Samuel  Plumraer.  Miss  Polly  Reeves 
married  Marshall   Callaway. 

Troy  Cox,  his  brothers  and  family  were 
worthy  citizens  and  good  people.     Hardin  Cox 


74  FOOT  PRINTS  ON 

and  devoted  christian  wife,  a  talented,  accom- 
plished lady  lived  on  Potato  Creek.  His  fine 
dwelUng  house,  buildings  and  well  regulated 
farm  on  Potato  Creek  stand  as  a  monument 
of  industry  and  economy.  He  was  a  useful 
laborer  in  church  and  state.  He  died  in  man- 
hood's prime,  and  his  happy  spirit  has  gone 
to  dwell  in  the  christian's  home  above  where 
it  awaits  the  arrival  of  loved  ones.  The  wid- 
ow, Emeline  Cox,  son  Charles  and  amia- 
ble wife  and  family  live  happily  in  their  home 
of  beauty  and  comfort  — the  fruit  of  their 
labor.  John  D.  Cox,  estimable  wife  and  fami- 
ly hve  on  Potato  Creek.  Mr.  Cox  is  a  practi- 
cal farmer  and  good  citizen.  The  Graham 
brothers  are  merchants— one  on  Potato  Creek 
whose  wife  is  a  daughter  of  Hardin  and  Eme- 
line Cox,  the  other,  Wallace  Graham  has  a 
store  near  Saddle  post  oflice  His  wife  was" 
the  daughter  of  Stephen  and  Masie  Bryant. 
She  adorns  her  home  by  her  social,  quiet  life. 
He  and  his  wife  are  devoted  members  of  the 
Methodist  church.  These  merchants  and 
families  materially  help  in  making  the  commu- 
nity successful,  prosperous  and  happy. 

There  have  been  a  number  of  ministers  of 
the  gospel  who  lived  and  labored  for  the  moral 
and  spiritual  w^elfare  of  the  people  of  Grayson 


THE  SANDS  OF  TIME.  75 

county,  whose  names  are  entitled  to  record, 
namely  :  Elder  Drury  Senter,  Rev.  William 
Carico  Elder  Plummer  and  Rev.  Samuel 
Plummer,  Elder  Calvin  Jones,  Rev.  Joshua 
Cole  and  Rev.  James  Bed  well.  These 
servants  of  the  church  and  their  people  have 
gone  to  receive  the  welcome  applaudit,  "Well 
done  good  and  faithful  servant^  enter  the  joys 
of  the  Lord." 

The  history  of  Grayson  county  is  such 
that  the  present  and  future  population  of  the 
county  may  look  back  on  its  record  with  pleas- 
ure and  cherish  bright  hopes  for  its  future 
prosperity  and  happiness. 


Note. — Erratum  in  second  line  on  page  66 
of  this  chapter. — The  name  Jasper  sliould  be 
Joseph. 


FOOT  PRINTS  ON 


CHAPTER  VI. 

NORTH-WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

Alleghany  County. 

It  is  refreshing  and  a  source  of  pleasure 
to  every  American  who  loves  home  and  coun- 
try that  such  men  as  Sir  Walter  Raleigh  and 
Jonn  Smith  lived,  and  that  this  country  was 
settled  by  men  knowing  their  rights  dared 
maintain  them. 

Greece  believed  their  founders  were  di- 
vine; Rome  delighted  in  the  fanciful  idea  tbnt 
her  Romulus  decended  from  the  Gods.  No 
Norman  tyrant  landed  on  our  shores,  nor  did 
any  fabled  fugitive  from  the  flames  of  Troy 
settle  this  country. 

North  Carolina  claims  to  be  the  place 
w^here  this  great  Anglo-Saxon  Empire  w:'s 
born  and  rocked  in    the    cradle    of    liberty. 


THE  SANDS  OF  Tl  ME.  77 

Here  too,  on  the  13tli  of  Julv,  1584,  the  first 
English  vt  ssels  landed;  and  here  was  found  a 
people  gentle,  loving,  faithful  and  kind.  Vir- 
ginia dates  her  first  settlement  bacK  to  1608 ; 
Massachusettes  the  landing  of  the  Pilgrim  son 
Plymouth  Rock  1620.  North  Carolina  was  the 
first  state  on  whose  borders  the  blood  of  colo- 
nists was  first  shed  by  English  troops,  occur- 
ring at  Alamance  1771,  and  the  first  state  to 
throw  off  theEngUsh  yoke,  at  Chrrlotte,  1775. 
North  Carohna  has  been  true  to  principle. 
It  was  a  North  Carohnian— Ensign  Worth 
Baeley— whose  blood  was  first  spiltin  defense 
of  Cuba  against  Spanish  injustice  and  cruelty. 
North  Carolina  is  proud  of  her  record.  She 
takes  her  stand  in  the  sisterhood  of  states 
and  rejoices  to  be  united  with  them  in  a  gov- 
ernment containing  the  principles  set  forth 
in  the  Declaration  of  Independence  and  con- 
stitution of  the  United  States,  one  of  the  best 
countries  the  sun  ever  shone  on. 

North-western  North  Carolina  is  em- 
braced in  that  portion  of  the  state  bounded  on 
the  south  by  Pilot  and  Brushy  mountains,  on 
the  south  west  by  Blue  Ridge  and  Black 
mountain,  west  by  Tennessee  line,  north  by 
the  Virginia  line,  containing  an  area  beautiful 
ard   lovely-  its   towering   mountains,    green 


78  FOOT  PRINTS  ON 

vaJleys,  crystal  streams  of  water,  beautiful 
forests,  rich  delicious  fruits,  charming  flow- 
ers  of  exquisite  beauty  and  richest  Hues  and 
exhilarating  odors,  and  its  refreshing  atmos 
phere.  It  is  not  strange  that  emigrants 
sought  a  home  in  this  highly  favored  land 
where  nature  placed  so  many  attractive  pow- 
ers. 

The  products  are  wheat,  corn,  rye,  oats 
buckwheat,  potatoes,  flax,  sorgum  cane,  to- 
bacco, cotton  and  fruits,  also  garden  vegeta- 
bles of  luxurious  growth  and  fine  flavor.  Wild 
birds  are  numerous  and  their  charming  notes 
help  make  nature  more  grand.  What  cause 
for  gratitude  to  an  infinite,  all-wise  loving 
Ft  ther  in  Heaven  for  such  inestimable  bless- 
ings. 

We  present  by  counties  a  description  of 
the  treasuries  placed  by  nature  that  lay  slum- 
bering through  the  ages  of  the  past  waitnig 
for  the  magic  art  of  civilization  to  develop  its 
vast  resources  and  change  the  wild  forests  to 
fuitful  fields. 

Alleghany  county  was  formed  from  the 
eastern  part  of  Ashe  county.  It  is  bounded 
on  the  south  by  Blue  Ridge  and  Wilkes  county 
line,  west  by  Ashe  county,  north  by  the  Vir- 
ginia line  and  east  by  Surry  county  line.     The 


THE  SANDS  OF  TIME.  79 

county  is  divided  into  two  valleys,  Peach  Bot- 
tom mountain  passing  through  the  county 
from  east  to  west,  valley  of  Little  River  on  the 
south,  New  River  and  tributary  streams, 
Prather's  Creek  and  Elk  Creek  on  the  north. 
The  surface  is  uneven,  ridges  and  valleys 
along  the  streams  of  water,  beautiful  springs 
gushing  and  gurgling  from  hills  and  dales, 
forests  of  trees  such  as  oak,  pine,  poplar,  ma- 
ple, ashe,  hickory,  chestnut,  abundance  of 
granite  and  fine  species  of  soap-stone  rich 
mines  of  iron,  and  copper.  The  productions 
are  wheat,  rye.  corn, oats,  buckwheat,  sorgum- 
cane,  flax,  potatoes  and  garden  vegetables  of 
great  variety  that  mature  in  luxury  and  per- 
fection, fruits,  such  as  apples,  peaches,  pears, 
quinces,  plums,  cherries,  blackberries, straw- 
berries, currants,  whortleberries  and  grapes. 
Alleghany  county's  history  is  such  that 
any  patriotic,  country- loving  people  may  just- 
ly be  proud  of  and  look  to  for  a  bright  future. 
The  early  settlers  of  this  county  were  made 
up  partly  from  eastern  counties  of  North 
Carolina,  some  from  Virginia  and  other  states, 
and  emigrants  from  Europe.  They  had 
learned  by  experience  what  oppressive  laws, 
exorbitant  taxation  and  injustice  was.  They 
came  here  imbued  with  the    principles  of  lib- 


80  FOOT  PRINTS  ON 

erty  and  justice  and  with  determination  to 
free  themselves  and  posterity  from  under  the 
iron  wheel  of  tyranny,  and  were  characterized 
by  industry,  economy  and  moral  excellence 
They  labored  not  in  vain  The  present  lineal 
descendants  can  look  back  with  pleasing  re- 
flections that  in  the  providence  of  an  all- wise 
God  of  love  and  justice  an  enlightened  chris- 
tian people  made  their  homes  here  and  erected 
the  standard  of  liberty  and  al>o  the  standard 
of  the  Cross  of  Him  whose  Word  says,  "Be 
diligent  in  business,  fervent  in  spirit,  serving 
the  Lord  "  Shall  the  names  of  those  who 
periled  their  hves,  and  toiled,  enduring  the 
privations  of  a  wi'd,  Indian  countr3^  for  the 
happy  enjoyment  of  the  inhabitants  who  hve 
afterward,  be  forgotten  and  not  preserved  in 
history?  Never  I  Let  the  spirit  of  patriotic 
love  of  home  and  country  live  and  live  on,  and 
streams  of  salvation  flow  as  does  the  limpid 
stream  over  its  sandy  bed. 

Sparta  is  the  county  capital,  a  most  beau- 
tiful location,  admirably  arranged  in  streets, 
business  houses,  residences,  hotels,  churches, 
academy,  law  and  medical  offices,  furniture 
manufactory  and  one  of  the  best  printing- 
presses,  with  job  department  andgeneral pub- 
lishing office,  in  Western  North  Carolina.    The 


THESANDS  OP  TIME.  81 

Alleghany  Star  is  published  here.  It  is  an 
excellent  paper  giving  local  news  of  interest 
and  much  general  news.  It  is  a  popular  pa 
per  with  a  reading  circulation  of  20,000.  At- 
tached to  the  printing  office  is  a  wholesale 
store  of  stationery  which  is  agreat  convenience 
to  this  part  of  the  state. 

Prof  S  W,  Brown  resides  here  and  is  an 
able  minister  of  the  gospel  of  the  Methodist 
church  South  and  principal  of  the  academy. 
His  faithful  labors  in  the  ministry  and  success 
as  a  teacher  has  won  for  him  the  approval  and 
respect  of  the  country. 

This  work  is  intended  more  as  a  bio- 
graphical than  descriptive  history,  endeavor- 
ing with  much  care  to  make  from  the  best 
sources  of  information  true  statements  of 
both,  people  and  country.  The  following  is  a 
list  of  some  of  tlie  names  of  the  early  settlers 
of  Alleghany  county  : 

Williamses,  Woodruffs,  Bryans,  McMil 
lans,  Edw^ardses, Burtons,  Doughtons,  Grouses 
and  Penders.  Prancis  Brj^an  came  to  Alle- 
ghany county  from  Elk  Creek,  Va  ,  but  orig- 
inally from  the  eastern  part  of  the  slate.  He 
married  Miss  Phebe  Woodruff  and  settled  in 
the  south-eastern  part  of  the  county  on  the 
road  leading  from  Grayson  Old  Town  to  Trap- 


82  FOOT  PRINTS  ON 

hill,  Wilkes  county,  where  he  and  family 
lived  to  a  good  old  age.  Mr.  Bryan  was  a  good 
citizen  and  kind  neighbor  who  took  much  in 
terest  in  the  prosperity,  Happiness  and  gener- 
al welfare  of  the  people  He  represented  his 
county  in  the  legislature  in  1818.  His  family 
were  distinguished  for  their  energy  and  per- 
severance in  business  relations  of  life.  After 
a  long  life  of  toil  and  doing  good  Mr.  Bryan 
and  noble  wife,  loved  and  respected,  were 
placed  in  their  honored  graves  where  they 
now  rest  in  peaceful  sleep. 

John  McMillan,  a  native  of  Scotland,  and 
a  man  of  letters,  came  to  AUeghany  county 
and  settled  on  Elk  Creek.  He  brought  his  ex- 
cellent wife  with  him  from  Scotland  He  was 
an  extensive  farmer  and  good  citizen  and  was 
first  clerk  of  Ashe  county.  His  family  had 
the  industry  and  watchful  care  in  business 
affairs  peculiar  to  their  nationality^.  Their 
sons  were  Andrew,  James,  John  and  Alexan- 
der, their  daughters  Nancy,  Mazy  and  Mary. 
Andrew  married  a  Miss  Fields  and  moved  to 
Ashe  county.  John  married  Miss  Cessa 
Gambill  and  raised  a  very  worthy  family  of 
children. 

Jonh  Burton  married  a  Miss  Stamper  and 
raised  a  worthy  family.     William  Harbor  was 


THE  SANDS  OF  TIME,  83 

the  first  manufacturer  of  iron  in  the  county. 
One  of  his  daughters,  an  estimable  lady,  mar- 
ried Hon.  Richard  Gentry,  of  Ashe  county. 
His  sons  went  West.  Sabe  Choat  married 
a  Miss  Woodfork  and  moved  from  Wilkes 
county  to  Bush  Creek,  Alleghany  county  * 
They  raised  one  ofthemost  energetic  business 
families  in  all  this  country.  Their  sons,  Isom 
and  Thomas  Choat  went  to  Georgia,  were 
planters  and  speculators  and  became  wealthy. 
Richard  Choat  married  Miss  SaUie  Edwards, 
a  lady  possessed  of  all  the  enobhng  virtues 
that  adorn  female  character,  as  daughter,  sis- 
ter, wife  and  mother,  such  as  make  happy 
homes  worth  living  for.  One  of  their  daugh- 
ters married  David  Edwards  and  lived  in 
Wilkes  county  and  another  daughter  married 
David  Isom,  of  Grayson  county,  Va. 

WiUiam  Edw^ards  and  David  Edwards 
were  settlers  of  Alleghany  county  at  an  early 
date  and  did  a  good  part  in  establishing  good 
society,  bringing  about  success  and  prosper- 
ity,  and  in  advancing  the  best  interests  of 
their  country.  David  Edwards,  son  of  Wil- 
liam Edwards,  was  a  worthy  citizen  of  W  ilkes 
county. 

Currin  E  Uiott,  of  Hills  ville.  Carroll  county, 
Va.,  married  the  daughter  of  David  Edwards. 


84  FOOT  PRINTS  ON 

Stephen  Wilker son.  of  Hillsville.  also  married 
his  daughter.  Both  are  ornaments  to  their 
home  and  an  honor  to  their  famihes.  One  of 
WiUiam  Kdwards,  Sr's.  daughters,  married 
Allen  Pender,  of  whom  it  may  correctly  be 
said,  not  lived  for  themselves  only,  but  tor 
thp  good  of  others  They  raised  a  family  that 
did  honor  to  their  parents  and  country.  Their 
son,  John  Pender,  whose  excellent  wife  was 
Captain  Daniel  Whitehead's  daughter,  [was  an 
h(mored  soldier  in  the  Confederate  army  and 
tilled  a  commissary  office  with  patience,  skill 
and  honest  care  that  honored  his  head  and 
heart.  Mr  Fender  is  now  a  citizen  of  Peak 
Creek.  Ashe  county.  They  have  a  worthy 
family  of  child^^en.  David  Edwards,  Sr.,  the 
ihe  pioneer  settler  of  Alleghany  county,  rep- 
resented the  county  of  Ashe  in  the  legislature 
of  North  Carolina  when  Alleghany,  Ashe  and 
Watauga  were  one  county  in  1812.  Mr.  Ed- 
wards lived  on  Little  River  for  some  years. 
His  first  wife  was  a  Miss  Anders.  They 
raised  a  large  family  noted  for  industry, econ- 
omy, perseverance  and  prudence  in  business 
relations.  Their  son,  Esquire  Berry  Edwards 
was  a  leading  citizen  of  Alleghany  county  and 
one  of  its  best  financial  officers.  Esquire  Ed- 
wards' son,  David  was  ari  honored   soldier   ia 


THE  SANDS  OF  TIME.  85 

the  Confederate  army.  Tn  his  eMily  hfe  he 
spent  six  ye  irs  in  the  California  gold  region. 
He  married  Miss  Mattie  Reeves.  By  nidus- 
try  and  economy  thny  have  acquired  a  hand- 
some amount  of  property.  They  have  an  in- 
telHgent,  interesting  f-^mily  of  children.  Es- 
quire Senter  Edwards,  a  brother  of  David 
Edwards,  married  Miss  Jane  Cheat,  a  charm- 
ing good  lady,  wife  and  mother,  a  good  neigh- 
bor and  christian  friend.  Their  son,  Keed, 
is  the  present  Sheriff  of  Alleghany  county. 
Esquire  Senter  Edwards  is  one  of  the  county's 
best  citizens  and  peace  officers 

David  Edwards,  Sr.,  married  the  second 
time  Mrs  Jane  Reeves,  widow  of  George 
Reeves.  They  had  two  children  after  second 
marriage,  and  lived  on  EIk  Creek  on  the  old 
homestead  where  the  widow  Reeves  resided 
before  her  second  marriage  Their  son  Solo- 
mon O.  Jives  in  the  same  neighborh(  od,  a  wor- 
thy and  respected  citizen  He  married  Miss 
Amazie  McMillan,  a  kind-hearted  amiable  good 
woman,  a  devoted  wife  and  affectionate  moth- 
er, kind  neighbor  and  faithful  friend.  Tiieir 
daughter,  Phebe  Edwards,  was  the  wifeof  the 
author  of  these  sketches  whose  Ufe  will  be 
given  in  a  separate  statement  of  her  family 
history.   DavidEdwards,  Sr  ,  an  example  of  in- 


86  FOOT  PRllSTS  ON 

dustry,  moral  worth,  and  sainted  wife,  having 
faithfully  done  their  part  as  good  people  in 
the  various  relations  of  life,  now  rest  in  their 
honored  graves,  in  the  family  graveyard  on 
the  same  farm. 

Joseph  Dough  ton  was  one  of  the  original 
settlers  of  the  county  and  came  here  from 
Franklin  county,  Virginia.  He  married  a 
Miss  Reeves  and  hved  m  the  north-eastern 
part  of  tlie  county.  He  was  a  farmer  and 
mechanic.  He  represented  his  county  in  the 
Legislature  of  1817.  Was  respected  as  an 
upright  citizen,  whose  honesty  and  integrity 
in  the  discharge  of  his  duty,  in  the  faithful 
performance  in  whatever  was  intrusted  to  his 
care.  Esquire  Charles  H.  Dough  ton  is  their 
son  and  an  honored  citizen,  yet  living,  almost 
one  hundred  years  old.  He  has  served  his 
county  as  Justice  of  the  Peace;  also  county 
surveyor  and  is  a  practical  farmer  and  live- 
stock raiser.  He  married  widow  Margaret 
Reeves  and  raised  a  worthy,  excellent  family. 
Their  sons,  Fleming  and  Jesse,  areinOergon. 
Fleming  Doughton  married  Colonel  Petty 's 
daughter,  of  Wilkes  county,  a  most  excellent 
lady.  Esquire  Doughton  and  his  devoted 
(now  deceased)  wife  are  and  were  members 
of  the  Methodist  church  from  early  life.  Mrs. 


THESANDS  OP  TIME.  87 

Doughtm  has  been  dead  for  many  years. 
They  were  Uberal  supporters  of  the  church 
in  its  various  enterprises.  Their  son,  Rev. 
Josesh  B.  Doughton,  is  a  local  Methodist 
preacher,  whose  faithful  labor  in  assisting 
his  preaching  brethren  in  the  great  work  of 
building  up  the  Redeemer's  kingdom —a  work 
of  such  responsibiUty,  rishig  pai^amount 
above  all  other  employments- beating  back 
the  power  of  darkness  and  works  of  evil,  and 
estabhshing  peace  and  righteousness  and  hap 
py  homes  in  the  family  circle,  where  the  love 
of  God  thrills  the  soul  and  communities  re 
joice  together  at  the  house  of  God  in  hopes  of 
spending  together  in  heaven  an  eternity  of 
bliss  and  happiness 

A  daught-r  of  Joseph  Doughton,  Jr.  mar 
ried  George  Reeves  and  moved  to  Winterset 
Iowa.  Her  daughter,  Sophrona,  married 
Arred  D.  Jones  who  was  secretary  for  the 
first  Territorial  Governor  of  Nebraska,  and 
settled  ill  Omaha.  Mr  Jones  is  one  of  the 
principal  founders  of  the  beautiful  city  of 
Omaha  which  has  grown  up  and  increased  in 
population  with  a  rapidity  that  tells  its  loca- 
tion is  surrounded  by  one  of  the  richest  pro- 
ducing CO  entries  on  eartii,  with  railroad  and 
steamboat  facilities.       The    Burlington    and 


88  FOOT  PRINTS  ON 

Missouri  River  railroad  trains  supplied  with 
reclining  chai  rs,  accommodating  employers, 
conveying  passengers  over  its  many  branches 
through  the  Western  states,  has  been  ihe 
greatesi  agency  in  building  up  that  section. 
Solomon  Parsons,  John  Jones,  Daniel 
Jones,  Tobias  Long,  John  Long  and  Jobe 
Stamper  may  ]5roperly  be  classed  with  the 
elder  men  and  early  settlers  of  AUeghany 
county.  Alexander  B.  McMillan,  son  of  John 
McMillan,  Sr.,  married  Miss  Mary  Reeves, 
an  excellent,  intelligent  good  woman,  and 
lived  on  the  old  homestead  on  Elk  Creek  He 
was  a  successful,  practical  farmer  and  a  good 
tinanciyl  olficer  of  his  county  whorepresented 
ihe  county,  wiien  Ashe,  Alleghany  and  Watau. 
ga  were  one  county,  in  both  branches  of  the 
legislature.  Esquire  McMillan  w^as  a  true 
Pitriot.  As  a  citizen  he  discharged  his  duty 
faithful'}^  and  with  honor  to  himself  and  sat- 
isfaction to  his  people,  both  in  public  office 
and  private  hfe.  Esquire  McMillan  and  noble 
wife  were  members  of  the  Baptist  church. 
Their  bodies  now  rest  in  their  honored  graves 
in  the  familv  graveyard.  Franklin  B.  McMil- 
lan, their  only  son,  was  educated  at  Emory 
and  Henry  college  in  Virginia  :incl  graduated 
in  law  at  the  University    of    North    Carohna. 


THESANDS  OP  TIME.  89 

He  was  a  young  man  of  bright  intellect,  and 
professed  i-eligion  in  early  life  His  moral 
excel'ence,  social  disposition  and  genial  kind- 
ness gained  for  him  the  popular  good  will  and 
highest  respect  of  the  people.  He  married 
Miss  Susan  Dodge,  a  young  lady  of  a  high 
order  of  talents,  education  and  refinement. 
It  was  a  happy  union  The}^  were  blessed 
with  one  child  that  died  in  infancy.  Both 
husband  and  wife  died  in  early  life.  They 
were  sadlj^  missed  by  their  friends  and  ac- 
quaintances. 

Colonel  Allen  Gentry  was  a  citizen  of  Al- 
leghany county,  a  public-spirited  gentleman 
who  took  an  active  part  in  every  laudable  en 
terprise  for  the  good  of  his  country.  He  was 
a  practical  farmer,  merchant,  Justice  of  the 
Peace  and  representative  in  the  legislature  of 
North  Carolina.  It  was  through  his  influence 
that  Alleghany  county  was  created.  He  was 
a  true  patriot  that  loved  his  country  and 
labored  for  its  ^ood  He  was  a  kind  husband, 
affectionate  father,  zealous,  faithful  christian 
member  of  the  Methodist  church  South.  His 
many  friends  lamented  his  death  which  oc 
curred  in  the  prime  of  hfe.  at  a  time  when  his 
valuable  services  w^ere  most  needed  by  his 
fatniiy  and  country.       Col.    Gentry    married 


90  FOOT  PRINTS  ON 

Miss  Rebecca  Reeves,  who  possessed  in  an 
eminent  degree  the  social  virtues  of  a  pure 
heart  that  elevates  woman  to  her  proper 
sphere,  as  daugliter,  sister,  wife,  mother, 
kind  neio^hbor  and  christian  friend,  such  as 
make  happ3^  homes  and  good  society.  She 
was  a  sainted  wife  whose  duty  shined  with 
brilliancy  on  life's  pathway.  She  and  her 
husband  were  devoted  members  of  the  Meth- 
odist church  South.  Their  bodies  rest  side 
by  side  in  their  honored  graves  at  Shiloh- 
chui'ch  graveyard  Dr.  L  C  Gentry,  of  Ashe 
county,  and  Captain  George  W.  Gentry,  of 
Stephenviile,  Tex  ,  are  their  sons.  He  wasan 
honored  cavalry  officer  in  the  Confederate 
army,  also  a  farmer  and  wholesale  merchant. 
His  wife  was  a  Miss  Whitiman,  a  most  excel- 
lent lady.  Their  daughter,  Miss  Sarah,  mar- 
ried Judge  George  W.  Cornette,  of  Grayson 
county,  Virginia.  Cynthia  married  Captain 
James  H  Parks,  a  merchant  and  honored 
citizen  who  died  some  years  ago.  His  amia- 
ble wife  is  still  living.  They  were  worthy 
members  of  the  Methodist  church  South. 
Mattie  married  Rev.  J.  B.  Dough  ton.  She 
possessed  the  enobling  virtues  that  make  a 
preacher  a  good  wife.  Ellen  married  Wilham 
Hardin,  a  worthy  gentleman.     She  was  a  true 


THE  SANDS  OF  TIME.  91 

type  of  industry,  kindness  and  affection.  They 
both  have  passed  away  from  the  scenes  of 
earth,  leaving  with  their  friends  evidence 
that  they  have  gone  to  join  ioved  ones  on  the 
other  side  of  the  river. 

HoQ,  Abram  Br^^an,  son  of  Bon  Francis 
and  Phebe  Bryan,  married  Mrs.  Woodruff, 
formerly  Miss  Carter  They  hved  on  the  old 
homestead  of  his  parents.  Mr.  Bryan  was 
truly  a  good  man.  His  moral,  upright  hfe 
and  patriotic  love  of  country  and  devotion  to 
its  best  interests,  his  honest,  strict  nitegritv 
and  social  disposition  gave  him  the  popular 
good  will  of  the  people.  He  was  representa- 
tive in  the  senate  of  the  state  legislature, 
served  as  Justice  of  the  Peace  for  many  years 
was  cartful  to  preserve  order  in  his  commu- 
nity. If  all  persons  would  live  as  Abram 
Bryan  lived  there  w^ould  be  no  guilty  to  pros- 
ecute nor  need  of  defense  for  the  innocent. 

Morgan  Bryan  was  a  practical  farmer  and 
earnest  local  Methodist  preacher.  He  mar- 
ried Miss  Susan  Hale,  an  amiable,  good  chris- 
tian lady.  William  Bryan,  who  moved  to 
Surry  county,  was  a  local  Methodist  preacher 
and  a  man  of  much  moral  worth  who  raised  a 
worthy  family.  Shadrack  Bryan,  grandson 
of  Francis  Brown,  Sr.,  was  a  good  citizen,    of 


92  FOOT  PRINTS  OX 

marked  industry  and  a  qniet  good  man  He 
was  a  local  Methodist  minister.  He  married 
his  cousin,  a  charmiDg,  good  lady,  and  rais-d 
a  nice  family. 

John  Fender,  Sr  ,  was  a  good  citizen. 
His  wife  was  a  MissToliver.  a  worthy,  good 
woman.  They  raised  a  most  excellent  fami- 
ly. Zechariah  and  Thomas  Moxley  were  good 
citizens  and  raised  worthy  famihes.  Moses 
Dixon  was  a  worthy,  respectable  citizen  He 
married  Miss  Sarah  Orsborne  and  raised  a 
large  fdmily  whose  lineal  descendants  are 
scattered  far  West.  The}^  were  a  per  severing 
and  industrious  family. 

Robert  Thompson,  an  iron  manufacturer 
on  Little  River,  was  a  very  industrious  useful 
man.  He  supplied  the  country  for  a  distance 
around  with  that  article  which  was  so  impor- 
tant to  producers.  Mr  Thompson  married 
a  Miss  Harbard  and  raised  a  praiseworthy 
family.  Major  Samuel  Thompson,  their  s  m, 
married  a  Miss  Dickey,  an  excellent  lady. 
They  made  their  home  in  the  same  neighbor - 
borhood. 

Willjam  "Woodruff,  a  noble  citizen,  married 
a  Miss  Thompson,  a  lady  worthy  her  husbind, 
Mr.  Woodruff  has  been  dead  many  years. 
His  widow    married   tlie  second   time  Judge 


THE  SANDS  OF  TIME.  93 

John  Gambill  who,  as  a  citizen  and  county 
officer,  was  an  honor  to  his  county  and  people. 
He  is  also  dead,  leaving  his  amiable  wife  a 
widow  the  sec  nd  time.     She  too  is  dead. 

George  Reeves,  grandson  of  George 
Reeves.  v<r.,  was  one  of  Al'eghany  county's 
best  citizens.  He  married  Miss  Nancy  Fields, 
who  w^as  a  faithful  wife,  kind  mother  and 
charitable  neighbor  George  Keeves  was  a 
conscientious  christian,  had  great  respect  for 
truth  and  a  good,  trustworthy  neighbor 
They  raised  a  family,  some  of  whom  and  their 
descendants,  have  been  distingaished  for 
t  dents  and  worthy  hves.  Their  grandson, 
G.  A.  Oglesby,  is  a  talented  minister  of  the 
gospel,  member  of  the  North  Carolina  annual 
conference  of  the  M.  E.  church,  South.  Hor- 
ton  Reeves  was  an  honored  soldier  in  the  Con- 
federate army,  clerk  of  Alleghany  county  and 
now^  a  citizen  of  Texas.  His  wife  was  Miss 
Nancy  Alexander,  an  amiable  lady. 

F,  M.  Mitchell,  grandson  of  James 
Gwyn,  of  Wilkes  county,  married  Miss 
Caroline  Alexander,  a  faithful  wife,  affection- 
ate mother  and  kind  neighbor.  Mr.  Mitchell 
w^as  an  honorable  soldier  in  the  Confederate 
army,  where  he  lost  a  leg.  He  is  a  good  citi- 
zen and  has  been    county    register  for    many 


94  FOOT  PRINTS  ON 

years.  Captain  Daniel  Whitehead  was  one  of 
Alleghany  county 's  best  citizens.  He  married 
a  Miss  Crouse  and  Hved  where  Whitehead  Ac- 
ademy and  village  is  located. 

Captaia  John  R.  Lonj>-,  of  Cranberry, 
married  a  Miss  Asher.  He  was  an  enter- 
prising citizen  of  industry  and  economy  and 
raised  an  intelligent  family.  Hon.  Caswell 
Taylor  married  their  daughter  and  raised  a 
nice  family,  characterized  by  energy,  indus- 
try and  perseverancein  business  departments. 
Mr.  Taylor  has  represented  his  county  in  the 
state  legislature. 

Elder  Tobias  Long  was  an  earnest,  zeal- 
ous, Baptist  preacher,  a  good  man  by  exam  pie 
and  precept.  John  Long,  his  brother,  was  a 
member  of  the  denomination  known  as  the 
Christian  church.  He  was  ordained  by  his 
church  and  preached  occasionally.  Dr.  Solo 
mon  Long,  a  native  and  resident  of  Meadow 
Fork,  Cranberry,  and  a  graduate  of  Jefferso- 
nian  College,  Philadelphia.  These  two  broth- 
ers. Tobias  and  John,  also  lived  on  Meadow 
Fork. 

Captain  Hortim  Doughton  is  an  excellent 
citizen  of  Alleghany  county.  He  married 
Miss  Rebecca  Jones  and  raised  a  family  that 
honors  parents  and  country.     Captun  Dough- 


THE  SANDS  OF  TIME,  95 

ton  was  an  honored  soldier  in  the  Confederate 
army.  EJe  is  a  pubUc- spirited  gentleman  who 
has  looked  with  vigilant  care  and  aided  in  car- 
rying out  successfully  the  best  interests  of 
his  country.  He  is  a  good  financial  agent  and 
has  served  as  Justice  of  the  Peace  for  j^ears. 

Dr.  B.  C.  Waddell  is  a  graduate  of  Balti 
more  Medical  College.  He  resides  at  Scott- 
ville,  in  the  western  part  of  the  county.  Dr. 
B.  C.  Waddell  is  a  young  man  of  a  high  order 
of  talents  The  interest  he  takes  in  devoting 
his  time  and  services  in  practicing  his  pro- 
fession, attending  calls  day  or  night,  mild  or 
inclement  w^eather,  kind  and  pleasant  atten- 
tion to  patients,  success  in  practice,  has  given 
him  an  enviable  reputation.  He  married  Miss 
Melissa  Baldwin,  a  lady  of  intelligence  and 
refinement.  They  are  both  pious  christians. 
Dr.  George  D.  Mendinhall  practiced  his  pro- 
fession in  Alleghany  county  a  few  years.  He 
is  a  well  qualified  and  successful  physician. 
Dr.  C.  G.  Foulkes  has  done  considerable  prac- 
tice but  is  worn  out  with  age  and  no  longer 
able  to  w^ait  on  his  friends  as  their  physician 
as  he  once  did. 

William  Black  came  from  Scotland.  He 
married  a  Miss  AlHson  and  settled  near  where 
Mt.  Zion  church  now^  stands,  in  the   western 


96  FOOT  PRINTS  ON 

part  of  the  county.  He  was  an  earnest,  de- 
voted christian  They  laised  a  family  of 
much  moral  excellence  and  christian  virtues. 
Their  sons  w-  re  John,  Alexander  and  David, 
their  daughters,  Jennie,  Martha,  Ehzabeth 
^nd  Ma-y  John  Black  married  Miss  Mary 
He-dy.  Andrew  and  Lee  are  their  sons; 
noble  men,  who  h  ive  wo  thy  families.  Major 
Ddvid  Black  married  a  Miss  King.  They  had 
one  child  Mrs  Black  died  in  early  hfe,  and 
the  Major  marr'ed  the  second  time  Miss  Reoa 
Cox,  daughter  of  Troy  ("ox,  of  Virginia.  They 
had  .one  son,  Troy,  an  aspiring,  worthy  young 
mqn.  Major  Black  died  in  the  prime  of  life. 
His  widow  married  again  ar-d  is  still  living,  a 
noble  christian  lady.  Alexander  Black  mar- 
ried Miss  Matilda  Hampton  They  have  one 
son,  Oscar,  a  young  man  of  brieht  intellect 
and  promise  of  a  useful  life.  Their  family- 
is  an  example  of  prosperit^^  peaceful  enjoy- 
ment and  christian  happiness  Martha  Black 
married  Harrison  Stamper  who  lives  near 
Laurel  Springs.  These  good  people  have 
given  their  aid  freely  to  the  Methodist  church, 
especiiMy  in  erecting  a  hou?e  of  wor.ship,  for 
which  they  deserve  the  thanks  of  the  commu- 
nity Plizabeth  Black  mari'ied  David  Pugh, 
a  worthy  citizen.       She    died    in    early    life. 


THESANDS  OF  TIME.  97 

Mary  Black  married  Daniel  Taylor,  Jr. 
They  ]ive  near  Sparta  and  are  a  worthy  fami- 
ly. Jennie  Black  married  James  Reedy  who 
died  many  years  as^o  The  widow  sitill  lives 
in  the  neigliborhood  of  Mt  Zion.  Their  sons, 
Lee  and  Andrew,  are  honored  citizens.  The 
ancestor,  William  Black,  has  gone  from  his 
labors  on  earth  to  reap  his  reward  in  heaven, 
but  the  seed  he  sowed  are  bearing  rich  fruits 
in  a  neighborho'"d  of  the  best  society  in  the 
county.  DavidGilham,  native  of  Floyd  county, 
Va.  married  Miss  Mary  Howell  and  lived  near 
Gap  Civil.  He  was  a  manufacturer  of  leather, 
and  was  an  honest,  upris^ht  citizen.  They 
raised  a  worthy  family.  Their  son,  George, 
was  an  hcnored  soldier  in  the  Confederate 
army.  Ano'her  son,  Wesley,  is  a  prominent 
member  of  the  Methodist  church  and  a  worthy 
citizen.  Eld.  George  Douglass  was  an  early  set 
tier  of  this  county.  He  was  a  talented,  elo- 
quent minister  of  Baptist  church  and  served 
his  people  laithfully  for  many  years.  His 
influence  will  live  and  live  on  Elder  Solo- 
mon Stamper,  of  Cranberry,  a  Baptist  minis- 
ter, inchned  to  be  eccentric  and  humorous, 
sound  in  doctrine,  fervent  in  spirit,  honortd 
and  respected,  served  his  generation  faithful- 
ly, laid  down  the  silver  trumpet  for  a  harp  in 
heaven . 


98 


FOOT  PRl^•TS  ON 


EX-LIEUT-GOV.  RUFUS  A.  DOUGHTON. 


THESANDS  OF  TIVIE.  99 

Hon  Rufus  A.  Doiighton  is  a  native  of  Al'e- 
ghany  county  He  was  born  near  Laurel 
Springs  Jan.  l^th,  1856,  and  was  educated  at 
the  High  School  at  Independence,  Va  ,  and  at 
the  University  of  North  Carohna,  at  which 
place  he  graduated  in  law  during  June,  1880. 
Since  that  time  he  has  practiced  his  profes- 
sion with  much  success.  He  was  married 
January  the  2nd,  1883,  to  Miss  Sue  Parks,  and 
has  one  son,  Kemp,  and  one  daughter.  Miss 
Annie.  He  w^as  county  superintendent  of 
schools  in  188?,  and  in  1887  was  elected  to  the 
House-of  Representatives  He  was  re-elected 
in  1889  and  served  as  chairman  of  the  commit- 
tee on  education.  He  WIS  again  elected  in 
1891  and  chosen  speaker  of  the  House.  At 
the  Democratic  State  convention,  in  1892,  he 
was  nominated  for  the  second  highest  state 
office,  and  in  November  elected  by  a  majority 
of  more  than  forty  thousand  over  his  Repub- 
hcan  opponmt.  In  1892  and  1897  he  received 
the  nomination  of  the  Democratic  party  in  the 
legislature  for  the  United  States  Senate.  He 
is,  and  has  been  for  a  number  of  years,  trus- 
ter of  the  University  of  North  Carohna.  In 
early  hfe  he  bowed  at  the  shrine  of  knowledge 
and  employed  aU  the  powers  of  his  active 
mind  in  acquiring  knowledge  that  would  pre- 


100  FOOT  PRINTS  ON 

pare  him  to  serve  bis  country  in  ail  that  would 
promote  its  happiness,  prosperity  and  future 
welfare  He  is  a  Democrat  from  principle, 
but  not  int')lerant  with  those  who  differ  from 
him  in  political  sentiment.  He  is  \  et  a  young 
man  and  has  much  promise  of  usefainess  to 
the  state. 

Hon.  Richard  Williams  was  one  of  the 
first  settlers  of  Allegham^  county.  He  wp.s 
representative  in  the  legislature.frc>m  IS")!  to 
1811.  He  possessed  the  wisdom  and  patriotjc 
love  of  country  to  govern  successfully  the 
newly  settled  colony.  His  valuable  life  and 
faithful  services  are  worihy  a  place  on  tne 
records  of  history. 

James  Boyer  was  one  of  Alleghiiny 's  best 
citizens.  His  wife  was  a  Miss  Sutherland,  of 
Grayson  county,  Va.,  an  excellent  christian 
lady.  Alexander  Hampton  lived  in  the  same 
neighborhood.  His  first  wife  was  a  Miss  Ful- 
ton, his  second  wife  a  Miss  Sutherland  Their 
son,  Rev.  Lee  Hampton,  is  an  earnest  faithful 
laborer  in  the  church.  His  sister,  Lucinda, 
an  invalid,  is  a  young  lady  of  tine  intellectual 
powers  of  mind,  a  pious  christian,  giving  evi- 
dence of  the  comforts  of  religion  in  the  hour 
of  affliction,  that  will  work  a  far  more  exeed- 
ing  weight  of  glory. 


THE  SANDS  OF  TIME,  101 

David  Maxwell  was  an  industrious,  gt^od  citi 
•zen.  He  married  Mrs,  Mary  Fields  who  was 
a  Miss  McMillan  before  her  first  marriage. 
They  had  one  son,  a  kind-hearted,  worthy 
good  man,  respected  by  the  community,  was 
cruelly  murdered  by  Bushwhackers  m  time 
of  war.  His  wife  was  Jane  Edwards,  a  good 
woman  and  faithful  wife.  They  had  two  cliil 
dren,  daughter,  Laura,  and  son,  Wiley 

Floyd  Cox  is  a  citizen  of  Alleghany.     He 
married  Miss  Cinthia  Reeves,   whose  quiet, 
christian  life  and  faithful  devotion  to  the   best 
interests  of  her  frmily's    welfare  and   happi 
ness  does   ere  lit    to    her    head    and    heart. 
Cloyd  Cox  has  been    a  practical  farmer  and 
good  citizen    and   obliging  neighbor.      Their 
son,  Wiley,  married  Miss  Laura  Maxwell,   an 
intelligent  lady,  a    faithful   wife,    affectionate 
mother  and  kind    neighbor,       Mr,    Cox    has 
served  his  county  as  superior  court  Clerk  for 
a  number  of  years.     Julia  Cox,    their   daugh- 
ter, married  LaFayette    Williams,    an    active 
business  man,  hotel  keeper  at  Sparta  and  also 
a  farmer.     They  have  one  son,  Edgar,    an  as- 
piring young  man  of  promise.     This  family  is 
a  model  of  industry,  prudence  and   economy, 
quietude  and  happiness. 

William  Carson  emigrated    from  Ireland 


102  FOOT  PRLISTS  ON 

and  settled  in  Charlotte,  N.  C,  engaged  in 
cotton  speculation  at  an  early  age  and  became 
wealthy.  He  lived  to  a  good,  old  age.  His 
brothers,  John  and  Andrew,  came  to  North 
Carolina  and  settled  in  Ashe,  now  Alleghany 
county.  Their  families  were  intelligent,  en- 
terprising business  people.  John  Carson's 
son,  Thomas,  married  a  Miss  Thompson, 
whose  son,  Robert,  was  Clerk  of  Alleghany 
county  for  several  .years  Another  son,  An- 
drew Carson  married  Miss  Emma  Boyers  and 
lived  in  Sparta.  Alexander  S.  Carson,  editor 
of  the  Alleghany  Star,  is  their  son.  His  sis- 
ter, Miss  Ellen,  is  a  talented  young  lady, 
whose  capacity  for  business  has  but  few 
equals  and  no  superiors.  Another  sister, 
Miss  Emma,  is  also  a  talented,  accomplished 
and  charming  young  lady.  Andrew  Carson. 
Sr.,  son  of  John  M.  Carson,  was  Sheriff  of 
Ashe  countv  many  years  and  merchandised 
at  Jefferson 

Eugene  Transom  married  Miss  Laura 
Cheek,  an  n.ccomplished  lady  and  lives  on  Elk 
Creek.  He  is  one  of  the  best  farmers  in  the 
county,  and  is  also  a  dealer  in  live  stock. 
Prof.  John  M  Chee'r,  A.  M.,  is  a  native  and 
citizen  of  Alleghany  county.  He  married 
Miss  Mollie,  daughter  of  Judge  W.  Cornett,  ot 


THE  SANDS  OF  TIME.  103 

Virginia,  a  lady  of  culture  and  refinement 
Prof  Cheek  is  one  of  the  country's  most  use- 
ful men. 

Profs.  E  L.  Wagoner,  J  T,  Fender,  W. 
R  Gentry,  as  Principals  of  institutions  of 
learning,  have  done  much  for  the  cause  of 
education.  The  people  of  Alleghany  county 
deserve  much  credit  for  the  interest  they  are 
taking  in  the  cause  of  education.  Sparta  In- 
stitute, under  the  leadership  of  Professor 
S.  W.  Brown  as  Principal,  is  an  honor  to  the 
county. 

Dr.  John  ISmith  was  a  worthy  citizen  of 
Alleghany  county,  married  Miss  Bettie  Haw- 
thorne, an  excellent,  good  woman,  practiced 
his  profession  successfully  for  many  years, 
w^as  ao  officer  in  the  Confederate  army,  and 
lost  an  arm.  He  represented  his  county  in 
the  legislature. 

"William  Hardin  was  a  lawyer,  married 
Miss  Ellen  Gentry,  a  most  exce^Uent  lady. 
They  lived  in  Sparta  and  raised  an  intelligent, 
'energetic  family. 

Alleghany  county  has  much  reason  to 
i-ejoice  in  the  hisiory  of  its  past  and  cherish 
•bright  hopes  for  the  future. 


104  FOOT  PRINTS  ON 


CHAPTER  VII. 

NORTH-WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA, 

Ashe  County. 

Ashe  county  was  formed  in  1799  from 
that  portion  of  Wilkes  lying  west  of  the  ex- 
treme height  of  the  Appalachian  mountains  or 
Blue  Ridge.  It  is  the  extreme  North-west 
corner  of  the  state,  and  bounded  on  the  north 
by  the  Virginia  ]ine,  east  by  the  Hne  separa- 
ting it  from  Alleghany,  south  by  the  Blue 
Ridge,  which  separates  it  from  Wilkes  and 
Watauga,  west  by  Tennessee  line,  separating 
it  from  Johnson  county.  It  was  called  in 
honor  of  Samuel  Ashe  who  was  once  Governor 
of  the  state. 

Its  surface  is  uneven,  hills  and  ridges 
and  intervening  valleys  along  the  creeks  and 
rivers.     The  supply  of    water    is    abundant. 


THE  SANDS  OP  TIME.  105 

T'-ie  north  and  south  forks  of  New  River  pass 
through  the  county  with  theiv  tributary 
streams  There  is  scarcely  a  plat  of  land  to 
be  Pound  large  enough  for  an  ordinary  farm 
that  is  not  supplied  with  springs  of  clear, 
cold  water  and  streams  running  through  them. 
The  productions  are  wheat,  rye,  corn,  oats, 
buckwheat,  sorgum-cane,  tobacco,  potatoes, 
flax,  and  a  great  variety  of  garden  vegetables. 
The  fruit-productions  are  apples,  peaches, 
pears,  quinces  and  plums,  with  many  varities 
of  small  fruit?,  s^uch  as  cherries,  currants, 
blackberries,  strawberries,  cranberries, 
whortleberries  and  gooseberries.  Beautiful 
groves  of  timber,  oak,  hickory,  ash,  poplar, 
maple,  walnut,  pine  and  cherry.  The  climate 
and  soil  is  well  adapted  to  the  growth  of  dif- 
ferent grasses,  as  timothy,  clover,  redtop, 
blue^ras-  and  evergreen. 

Jefferson,  the  county  seat,  is  a  good  loca- 
tion, laid  out  for  convenience  in  business  de- 
partments Main  street  is  beautifullj^  orna- 
mented by  rows  of  cherrj^  trees  on  each  side 
of  the  street  There  are  dry  goods  and  gro- 
cery stores,  hotels  law  and  medical  offices, 
work-shops,  school  buildings,  churches  and 
fine  family  residences.  The  merchants  are 
Major  Edward  Fostor,  McNeil,  Wm  Transon. 


106  FOOT  PRINTS  ON 

Poster  &  Neal  are  manufacturers  of  flour; 
Felix  Barr,  mechanic;  Captain  Joseph  Todd, 
Pell,  G.  L.  Park,  Blackburn,  R.  H.  McNeill, 
George  Bower  and  Davis,  are  lawyers.  The 
doctorsare  J.  ^B.  Roberts  Wiley  Colvard  and 
Manly  Blevins.  County  Clerk,  Sidney  Eller; 
county  Register,  D.  A.  Orsborn.  Resident 
ministers.  Revs  William  M.  Robbins  and 
Allen  Jones.  Superintendent  of  Sunday 
school,  John  Neal 

The  population  of  Jefferson  is  made  up  of 
active,  enterprising  business  people  of  moral 
excellence.  The  churches  are  Methodist  and 
Presbyterian  In  giving  a  statement  of  the 
population  of  Ashe  county  from  its  earlier 
settlements  to  the  present  time  we  can  give 
only  a  partial  list  of  prominent  persons  and 
families,  many  whose,  honorable,  useful  lives 
will  doubtless  be  left  out,  but  it  is  intended  to 
give  a  correct  account  of  those  who,  when  this 
highly  favored  land  was  a  wildindian country, 
periled  their  lives  through  privations,  dangers, 
hardships  and  toil,  opened  the  way  to  happy 
homes,  fruitful  fields,  good  society  in  a  chris. 
tian  land  of  schools  and  churches. 

Henry  Poe,  Martin  Garabill,  Thomas 
Sutherland,  Timothy  Perkins,  Captain  John 
Cox,    Henry    Hardin,     Canada     Richardson, 


THE  SANDS  0¥  TIME.  107 

James,  Douglas,  Daniel  Dickerson,  brothers, 
and  Elijdh  Callaway  were  menof  steady  habits 
who  did  much  for  the  good  of  society,  and  the 
fruits  of  their  labors  are  enjoyed  by  those 
who  hve  afterwards.  At  a  later  date  just  as 
worthy  citizens  were  William  Gambill — whose 
wife  was  Cynthia  Cox,  daughter  of  Captain 
John  Cox,  Sr.,— Nicholas  Gentry,  James  Ba- 
ker and  Ehjah  Callaway.  The  latter  was  a 
soldier  at  Norfolk,  Va  ,  in  the  war  of  1812,  and 
represented  his  county  in  the  legislature  six 
sessions  and  his  district  in  the  senate  five 
sessions.  We  failed  to  learn  the  name  of  his 
wife.  They  raised  a  family  worthy  their 
parents.  Dr.  James  Callaw^ay,  ol  Wilkes 
county,  was  their  son 

Col.  George  Bower  was  a  native  of  Ashe 
county,  a  merchant,  farmer,  live-stock  raiser 
and  hotelist  at  Jefferson.  He  married  a  Miss 
Bryant  the  first  tJ me  and  Miss  America  Ros- 
seau  the  second  time.  He  was  state  senator, 
w^as  elector  on  the  ticket  that  elected  General 
Andrew  Jackson  President  both  terms.  Other 
citizens  were  Colonel  Andrew  McMillan,  Ab- 
salom Bower,  James  and  Theodore  Woodie 
and  Stephen  Thomas  The  latter 's  wife  was 
a  Miss  Perkins,  daughter  of  Timothy  Perkins. 
Edward    Weaver  and  Meredith   Balou  were 


108  FOOT  prl:^ts  0>J 

iron  manufacturers.  Zachariab  Baker's  wife 
was  Zylpia  Dickson  The  wife  of  Joshua  Ba- 
li:er,  Sheriff,  was  also  a  Miss  Dickson.  Fred- 
erick Severt  was  a  worthy  citizen,  Matthew 
Carson  was  a  representative  in  the  StUe 
Le^slature,  Edward  Bartlett  was  Sheriff 
and  County  Clerk,  John  M.  Carson  was 
Sheriff  and  merchant,  Jesse  Bledsoe  was  rep- 
resentative in  the  Legislature,  and  Edward 
Foster  was  a  member  of  the  convention  and 
representative  in  the  Legislature. 

Andrew  Dickson's  name  carries  the  pro- 
found resi>ect  of  the  community  with  it.  Mr. 
Dickson  is  one  of  the  oldest  men  now  living  in 
the  county.  His  wife  was  Miss  Mary  McMil- 
lan, a  worth V  lady.  They  have  raised  a  family 
that  honored  parents  and  country.  Hon.  Mar- 
shall Dickson  was  a  respected  soldier  m  the  Con- 
federate army,  Sheriff,  Clerk  of  the  Superior 
court  of  his  county  and  representative  in  the 
State  Legislature  He  married  Miss  Juda 
Halsey,  an  amiable  good  w^oman. 

John  Koontz,  who  married  Miss  Cornelia 
Colvard,  an  estimable  and  worthy  christian 
lady,  w^as  the  son  of  Rev.  Jacob  Koontz,  whose 
wife  was  a  Miss  Ray .  Mr.  Koontz  was  an 
humble  minister  of  the  gospel  in  the  Baptist 
church,  a  good  neighbor  and  an  upright  man. 


THE  SA^'DS  OF  TIME.  109 

Alexander  Dickson,  J»  sse  B.  McMillan,  and 
Alexander  McMillan.  Jr..  are  worthy  citizens 
and  have  excellent  families.  <"aptain  Andrew 
McMillan,  a  citizen  of  Nathan's  C'reek,  w^ho 
co;nmanded  a  company  in  the  Confederate 
army,  is  a  true  friend  to  his  country.  His  wife 
was  a  Miss  Reeves,  a  good  christian  lady.  She 
has  gone  to  a  happy  home  in  the  better  land. 
Joshua  Cox,  grandson  of  Captain  John  Cox, 
of  Revolutionary  renown,  lives  in  this  neigh- 
borhood and  is  an  old  man.  He  has  been  twice 
married  and  raised  two  families.  He  is  a  re- 
spected, w.)rth7  gentleman. 

Jesse  Reeves,  Sr  ,  was  one  of  th-i  earl/ 
settlers  of  the  county.  He  live!  on  New  Riv- 
er at  the  mouth  of  Peak  Cree'^,  about  eight 
miles  east  of  Jefferson.  The  location  was  first 
made  by  old  Mr.  Dick.  He  was  twice  married; 
first,  to  a  Miss  Terrell,  second.  Miss  Mary 
Bower.  He  w^as  a  successful  farmer  and  re- 
spected citizen.  His  sleeping  dust  rests  be- 
sides that  of  his  beloved  wife,  Mary,  in  the 
family  graveyard. 

Levi  Gentry  married  Miss  Nancy  Plum- 
mer,  an  excellent  woman,  wdiose  christian  life 
was  an  ornament  t  J  home  and  community. 
Mr.  Gentry  was  one  of  tlie  county's  best  citi- 
zens, a  practical  farmer  and    good    neisrhbor. 


no  FOOT  PRINTS  ON 

Mr.  Gentry,  wife,  son,  Andrew,  and  daugh- 
ters, Sarah  and  Amandi,  were  members  of 
the  Methodist  church.  Theii' three  sons  en- 
tered the  Confederate  army  It  is  worthy  of 
note  that  the  Gentry  family  have  been  distin- 
guished for  their  principles  and  patriotic  love 
of  constitutional  liberty  and  justice.  These 
young  men  of  moral  worth  left  the  endear- 
ments of  home  and  friends  under  a  sense  of 
duty  and  laid  their  lives  on  their  country's 
altar.  Their  names  were  Andrew,  Joseph 
and  Levi.  It  was  a  source  of  deep  sorrow 
when  the  news  came  of  their  death.  Levi 
was  a  mere  youth,  a  good  boy,  and  loved  by 
all  who  knew  him.  These  brothers  were  re- 
garded by  the  entire  community  as  young 
men  of  bright  character  and  future  promise. 
Andrew  Gentry  left  an  excellent  wife  and 
children  to  mourn  the  loss  of  a  good  husband 
and  kind  father. 

Colonel  Andrew  McMillan's  residence  was 
on  Nathan's  '  Creek.  He  married  a  Miss 
Fields,  a  most  excellent  w^oman  He  was  a 
good,  upright  citizen  and  raised  an  honorable 
family.  He  married  the  second  time  the  wid- 
ow Justice.  Several  of  the  family  have  been 
described  on  preceding  images 


THE  SANDS  OF  TIME. 


11 


DK     B,  E.    KEEVES. 


112  FOOT  PRINTS  ON 

Dr.  B   E   Reeves,  son  of  A  iKl  re  wand   Mahala 
Reeves,  was  born  at    Lamar,    Ashe    cojrty, 
N  C,  on  September  21st,  186^,  was  educated 
in  the  comnv  n  schools  of  tbecountry,  studied 
medi:-ine  and  graduated  in  the  Baltimore  Col- 
lege of  Medicine  and    Surgery,    April    14th, 
1891      He  has  been  activeli'  employed   since 
th -^t  time  in  the  prctctice    ol   h-s  professs'on, 
iindfrom  untiring  patience    genial  kindness 
and  success  in  practice  made  himself  a   most 
poxmlar  physician.     He  married  Miss  Pauline 
vVeiborne,  a  lady  of  talents  education  and  re- 
finement, such  as  light  up  happy  homes  and 
cheer  i\e  Doctor  in  the    arduous  toils   of  his 
profession      Dr.  Reeves,  in  the  true  spirit  of 
patriotism,  has  taken  a  deep  interest  in  advo- 
catinof  the  principles  and  defending  the  purity 
of  liberty  and  justice  as  set  forth  in  the    l>ec- 
la'a,tion  of  Indepence  and  Cons' iiu 'ion  of  the 
United  States,  the    grandest  superstructure 
of  civil  government  ever  devised    and   estab- 
lished by  the  Avisdom  and  genius  of  man      He 
is  chairman  of  the  <  en    Democratic  executive 
committee      He  was  elected  to  the  legislat  ire 
in  1898,  and  was  chairman  of   the  committee 
on  public  health  in  the  historic  legislature  of 
1899.     The  county  needs  and    has  to   depend 
on  such  m^'n  as    Dr.    Reeves   to  preserve  the 


t'HE  SANDS  OF  TIME,  IIB 

pric  less  heri'iige  of  our  foreparents,  and  il- 
lustrious founders  of  the  government  at  the 
cost  of  life  and  treasure.  Maj^  future  gener- 
ations per;  etuate  their  Diemory,  folio//  their 
example,  cherish  th-ir  principles  of  opposi- 
tion to  tyranny  and  oppression,  and  love  of 
home  and  country. 

Edward  and  WiUiaai  Weaver  were  honored 
citizens  who  had  worthy  families  Rev.  Hiram 
and  Elihu  Weaver  were  local  preachers  in  the 
Methodist  church  South.  Theh-  1  ibors  will 
remain  bright  and  bear  fruit  long  after  they 
have  laid  down  their  silver  trumpets  and  gone 
to  re  ip  their  rewcird  in  heaven  Rev.  Dr. 
James  Wagg  was  a  faithful  minister  ol  the 
gospel  in  the  Methodist  church  and  asuc38ss- 
f ul  physician.  He  raised  a  family  noted  for 
intelli.'enc^  and  moral  w^orth  Their  son, 
Rev.  E  ig^ne  Wagg,  is  a  member  of  Western 
North  Carolina  Conference,  filling  stations  and 
P.  E  ,  and  an  able  minister  of  the  gospel.  An- 
other soQ,  Rev.  John  Wagg,  was  aflaentspeak- 
er  and  pu'pitoratur.  Another  ^on.  Dr.  Alfred 
Wagg,  is  a  good  citizen  and  well  qualified  phy- 
sician. Captain  Samuel  W-ig^,  their  brother, 
commanded  a  company  from  Ashe  cojnty  in 
the  Confederate  armv,  a  brave  and  chivalrous 
officer  who  was  devoted  to  dutj^  and  kind    to 


114  FOOT  PRINTS  ON 

his  company.  He  fell  in  the  battle  at  Gettys- 
burg—that  field  of  carnage  where  such  men 
as  ('aptain  Wagg.  Col.  Sidney  Stokes,  Gen 
James  B.  Gordon  and  private,  patriotic,  coun- 
try-loving soldiers  fell,  and  where  Gen.  Peti- 
grew  was  killed  while  bringing  out  the  siiat- 
tered  araiy.  Such  men's  names  and  noble 
deeds  are  worthy  to  be  placed  on  the  golden 
pages  of  history  and  retained  in  memory  on 
livhig  hearts. 

Rev.  James  Weaver,  son  of  preacher 
Hiram  Weaver,  is  a  member  of  tlie  Western 
North  Carolina  Conference,  an  eloquent pul]. it 
orator,  has  been  Presiding  Elder  and  is  now 
stationed  in  Salisbury.  Tiiese  useful  minis- 
ters of  the  gospel,  laboring  to  cultivate  Im- 
manuel's  land,  and  establish  the  peaceful 
kingdom  of  Christ  on  earth  for  t'je  gl  >ry  of 
God  and  salvation  of  souls,  are  natives  of  Ashe 
county.  Jefferson  hastworesident  min'sters. 
Rev.  William  M.  Robbins,  member  of  the 
Western  North  Carolina  Conference,  whose 
zeal  and  untiring  devotion  to  his  ministerial 
work  has  endeared  him  to  his  people.  Rev. 
Allen  .Joms,  a  Presbyterian  minister, 
stationed  at  Jefferson,  is  a  popular  literary 
teacher  and  an  active  laborer  in  the  ministry 
Rev.    Ernest    Gillespie    is    synodic.il  super- 


THE  SANDS  OF  TIME.  11^ 

mtendent  of  missions  for  the  state   of   North 
Carolnm.     Rev.  AVm.  A.  Miirry  is  a  Presbyte- 
rian Evangelist.     These  gentlemen    are    well 
quaUlied  ministers  of  the  gospel,  whose  faith- 
ful labors  are    acoom  pushing    much     toward 
buil'Jmg  up  the  Redeemer's  kingdom  on  ear  tii, 
\iajoi    Ed.  Fostor,  merchant  and   manu- 
facturer of  leather;  McNeil  and  Transou  are 
dealers  in  dry  goods  and   groceries,  Colvard, 
Roberts  and  Blevins  are  successful  physi- 
cian-; FeUx  Barr  and  Elzy  Brown  are  good 
mechanics;  Sidney  Eiler,   Clerk;  D.    A.    Ors- 
borne,  Register;  Gaither  McNeil,  Sheriff;  two 
church    edifices  and  parsonages,    telephone 
office   and  two  hotels.     The  Mountain  hotel, 
where  every    accomodation    that    the    heart 
could  desire,   with  cheerful  attention,   from 
Martin  Hardin,  the  gentlemanly  proprietor, 
his  excellent  lady  and  her  accomphshed  sister . 
The  fine  steel  roller  flour  mill  of  this  place  is 
an  important  benefit  to  the  surrounding  coun- 
try.    The  splendid  meadows,   green   pasture 
fields,  of  luxurious  groVvTths  of  grass,   makes 
Ashe  county  one  of  the  leading,   if  not  first, 
counties  in   the  State  for  raising  live  stock. 
The  abundant  fruits  in  great    varieties,   its 
crystal  streams  of  pure,  cold  water  and  salu- 
brious atmosphere,    make  Ashe  county   one 


116  FOOTPRINTS  ON 

of  the  favored  parts  of  the  earth  for  happy 
homes. 

Nicholas  Gentry  was  a  resident  of  Ashe 
county.  His  farm  and  home  were  on  Nathan's 
Creek.  He  and  his  praiseworthy  wife  raised 
afamily  of  intelligent,  enterprising  children, 
who  have  added  much  to  the  welfare  and  good 
of  society.  Their  daughter,  Mary,  married 
James  Richardson,  a  worthy  citizen  of  Cran- 
berry. Elizabeth  married  James  Smith, 
Salhe  married  Wilham  Turner,  James  Gentry 
married  Miss  Mary  Smith,  a  very  quiet,  good 
woman,  and  hved  on  New  River,  eight  miles 
east  of  Jefferson.  They  had  two  sons,  Nich- 
olas and  Richard,  noble,  moral,  good  young 
men.  They  both  fell  in  the  Confederate  army. 
Their  untimely  death  was  a  sad  loss  to  their 
family.  Hon.  Richard  Gentry  married  a  Miss 
Harboard,  an  amiable  lady.  His  residence 
was  at  Old  Field,  in  the  southern  part  of  the 
county.  Mr.  Gentry  was  a  man  of  great 
energy,  a  systematic  farmer,  minister  of  the 
gospel  in  the  Baptist  church,  and  employed 
his  superior  talents  not  only  in  preaching  the 
gospel,  but  in  warmly  advocating  the  cause  of 
temperance.  He  filled  the  office  of  Justice  of 
the  Peace,  was  representative  in  both  branches 
of  the  legislature  and  was  Clerk  of  the  super- 


THE  SANDS  OF  TIME.  117 

ri  >Y  coLU't  of  Ashe  county  for  many  years. 
Taken  all  together,  he  was  a  remarkable  man, 
combimng  so  many  qualifications  for  useful 
emplo3^ment  for  the  good  of  society.  It  is 
fortunate  for  any  community  that  such  men 
employ  their  time  and  talents  for  the  good  of 
their  country,  when  they  live  and  labor  among 
them. 

Aquilla  Greer  came  from  Franklin  county, 
Va..atan  early  day  and  settled  on  Grassy 
Cret'k,  in  the  northern  part  of  the  county  He 
was  an  enterprising  business  man,  and  fitted 
up  one  of  the  nicest  farms  in  the  county.  He 
married  a  Miss  Fielder,  of  Elk  Creek,  Va. 
They  had  one  son  and  two  danghtei  s  One 
of  their  daughters  married  Ephraim  Gentry, 
a  worthy  citizen  who  lived  in  Grayson  county, 
near  New  River,  six  or  seven  miles  south  east 
of  Independence  Another  daughter  married 
Elias  Draughn.  His  son,  John  F.  Greer  was 
an  upright,  persevering  man  He  married  a 
Miss  Jones,  of  Caldwell  county,  N.  C.  He 
was  a  successful  farmer,  live-stock  dealer  and 
for  many  years  conducted  successfully  a 
Jarge  mercantile  business,  and  perhaps  so'd 
more  general  merchandise  than  any  one  store 
keeper  who  did  business  in  the  county,  giving 
general  satisfaction  to  bis  large  number   of 


118  FOOTPRINTS  ON 

customers.  Esqire  Greer's  son's  were  deter- 
mined, energetic  business  men.  CartVtt 
Greer  and  his  brotlipr,  John,  were  highly 
respected  good  soldiers  in  the  Confederate 
army.  The  two  men  and  their  brother,  Jones 
Greer,  have  pnssed  away  from  the  active  busi 
ness  of  hfe.  Cahin  Greer,  their  only  brother 
now  living,  is  one  of  Grassy  Creek's  best 
citizens.  He  married  Miss  Marj^  Pierce,  a 
daughter  of  Rufus  and  Elizabeth  Pierce,  a 
charming  good  woman.  Mr  Greer  is  a  suc- 
cessful farmer,  pr*  ducer  and  is  a  dealer  in 
fine  cattle  and  other  live  stock.  They  have 
an  excellent  familv  of  much  moral  worth. 

Mar! in  Gambill,  who  married  a  Miss  NalJ, 
was  one  of  the  first  settlers  of  the  county  on 
New  River,  in  the  ea«^tern  part.  He  was  a 
true  patriot  in  th^  days  of  the  Revolution. 
Colonel  Ben  Cleveland  seiit  aletter  to  him  bj^  a 
messenger  t )  carry  to  Colonel  William  Camp- 
bell. Hf^  went  to  Enoch  Orsborne,  who  lived 
on  New  River,  near  the  mouth  of  Bridle 
Creek,  Va.,  to  bori-ow  a  horse.  Esq  Enoch 
Or -borne  took  the  harness  off  of  his  horse, 
where  he  was  plowing,  and  loaned  to  him  to 
ride  to  Washington  county.  Virginia.  Col. 
Campbell,  in  compliance  with  the  request, 
came  wih  thre3  hundred   and  fiftv   men  and 


THE  SANDS  OF  TIME.  119 

joined  Cleveland,  McDowell,  Lenoirand  others 
to  meet  Col.  Ferguson,  the  British  command 
er  of  English  and  Torie-.  Mr.  Martin  Gam- 
bill  died  soon  after  the  war  His  amiable  wid- 
ow lived  to  a  o^reat  age,  loved,  honored  and 
respected  William  Gam  bill  and  his  w^orthy 
lady  lived  and  died  on  the  same  farm.  Their 
son,  Esquire  James  Gambill,  married  Miss 
Lucy  Reeves,  of  Virginia  Esquire  Gambill, 
after  living  a  useful  citizen,  good  neighbor  and 
worthy  christian,  passed  over  to  the  shore  of 
immortality,  leaving  his  faithful  good  wife  a 
widow.  Their  son,  Preston,  is  also  a  good 
citizen,  living  in  the  same  neighborhood.  He 
married  Miss  BettieColvard,  daughter  of  Wil- 
liam and  Sallie  Colvard,  who  adorns  her  home 
as  a  cheerful  good  wife  and  mother. 

Esquire  Rufus  Pierce  lived  on  south  fork 
of  New  River  a  short  distance  east  of  Chest 
nut  Hill.  He  married  Miss  Elizabeth  Scott, 
of  Smith  county,  Virginia.  She  possessed 
the  enobling  virtues  of  true  womanhood  sind  a 
true  spirit  of  Christian  kindness  She  was  a 
loving  light  in  a  happy  home.  Esquire  Pierce 
w^as  a  sta}^  in  his  neighborhood,  to  sustain 
civil  government,  and  a  pillow  to  the  church. 
Their  example  for  industry  and  economy  in 
providing  well  for  the   temporal  comforts    of 


120  FOOTPRINTS  ON 

]\f\  and  the  part  they  took  in  the  cau>e  of 
true  christian  rehgion,  is  an  example  t'mt 
cainiot  die.  St.  Paul  said  in  his  letter  ti  the 
Hebrews:  'By  faith  Abel  offered  unto  God 
a  more  excellent  sacrifice  than  Cain,  by  which 
he  obtained  witness  that  he  was  righteous . 
God  testifying-  of  his  gifts,  and  by  it  he  being 
dead  yet  speaketh." 

Esquire  Stephen    Thomas     a    nat've    of 
Grayson  county.  Va  .  was  for   many  j^ears  a 
worthy  citizen  of  Aslie county, at  Creston,  was 
an  extensive  farmer.  Justice    of    the    Peace, 
inerchant  and  live  stock  raiser.      He   married 
a  Miss  Perkins,    the    daughter    of    Timothy 
Perkins,  one  of  the  pioneer  settlers  of  Gray- 
son   county,   Virghiia,   an  intelligent,    pious, 
christian  Lidy.     ThE'ir  family  of  children  were 
distinguisl  ed   for  moral  worth,   diligence  in 
business  and  devotion  toreligion      This  pious 
family  did  much    for   the    estiblishment    of 
order  and  good  society.       David    Worth  mar- 
ried their  daughter  and  settled   at  the   same 
place,  was  for  several  years  a  successful  mer- 
chant. Justice  of  the  Peace  and  member  of  the 
special  quarterly  term  of  county?  court      Col 
George  W.  Reeves  also  married  one  of  their 
daughters,  Miss  Car'Jine.     Wiley  Reeves,  for 
many  years  a  merchant  at  Jefferson,  was  their 


THE  SANDS  OF  TIME.  121 

son,  an  esteemed  citizen.  He  married  a  Miss 
Horton.  an  excellent  lady. 

Thomas  Sutherland  was  an  early  settler, 
on  tlie  north  fork  of  New  River  in  the  western 
part  of  the  county.  His  wife's  name  is  un- 
known to  us  Mr  Sutherland  was  an  ener- 
getic business  man,  farmer  and  live-stock  pro- 
ducer. Their  sons  were  Alfred,  Joseph,  Reu- 
ben and  Thomas.  They  were  men  of  intelli- 
gence and  business  qualificitions.  Their  lin- 
eal descendants  have  been  noted  for  their 
talents  and  morality.  Rev.  Alexander  C. 
Sutherland,  of  Carroll  county,  Va,,  is  a  grand- 
son of  Thomas  Sutherland.  Sr..  and  Rev  Roby 
Sutherland,  great-grandson  pJthough  quite  a 
young  man,  is  distinguished  as  a  palpit  ora- 
tor and  stationed  at  Bristol,  Tenn. 

Zechariah  Baker  was  one  of  Ashe  county's 
best  citizens,  a  farmer,  and  representative  in 
the  legislature  He  married  Miss  Zylphia 
Dickson,  a  good  woman,  affectionate  mother, 
faithful  wife  and  kind  neighbor.  John  Baker, 
their  son,  lives  near  Dresden,  north  fork  of 
New  River  He  married  a  Miss  Eller.  a  lady 
possessed  of  enobling  virtues.  Mr.  Baker  is 
a  successful  farmer  and  live-stock  raiser.  He 
has  served  his  county  as  Sheiiff  for  several 
years  in  honor  to  himself  and   satisfactix  n    to 


122  FOOT  PRINTS  ON 

his  people.  Rev.  Joseph  King  married  his 
daughter,  a  worthy  lady.  He  was  a  faithful 
local  Methodist  preacher.  He  died  in  the 
prime  of  life,  leaving  an  example  that  is  a 
blessing  to  the  community. 

John  Gentry  is  an  industrious  farmer  and 
kind  neighbor.  He  married  Miss  Mary 
Reeves,  daughter  of  Alexander  and  Lydia 
Reeves.  She  is  a  worthy  lady,  faithful  wife, 
kind  mother  and  good  neighbor,  They  have 
raised  an  intelligent  family  of  children. 

Charles  Reeves,  the  son  of  Mary  and 
Jesse  Reeves,  was  born,  raised  and  lived 
on  the  old  homestead.  He  married  Miss  Mary 
McMillan,  a  good  woman,  faithful  and  indus- 
trious wife  and  mother  who  has  taken  much 
interest  in  the  welfare,  success  andhappiness 
of  her  family.  Charles  Reeves  w^as  an  upright, 
honest,  good  man — a  purer  patriot  never  lived — 
a  respected  and  honored  Confederate  Soldier. 
He  died  sometime  ago,  leaving  a  widow  and 
large  family  of  children.  Pea^eto  his  honored 
rest 

Sidney  Transou  is  an  honored  citizen  of 
Ashe  county.  He  came  here'  from  Wilkes 
county  and  settled  on  Peak  Creek.  He  is  a 
systematic  farmer  and  dealer  in  improved 
live  stock.     He  and  his  sons  are  extensively 


THE  SANDS  OF  TIME.  123 

engaged  in  the  mercantile  business.  His  wife 
was  a  Miss  Mastin,  a  good  christian  lady. 
Esquire  Transou  and  his  worthy  family  have 
done  much  to  build  up  the  church  in  their 
neighborhood.  They  have  erected  near  their 
family  residence  a  neat  Methodist  church  edi- 
fice, and  have  a  well-conducted  Sunday 
school. 

Esquire  John  H.  Carson  married  a  Miss 
Ella  Mastin,  a  sister  of  Mrs.  Transou,  and 
live  on  the  north  fork  of  New  River  near  Heal- 
ing Springs.  They  are  worthy  members  of 
the  Methodist  church  South  Esquire  Will- 
iam Carson,  his  excellent  wife  and  family,  live 
near  Betnel  Methodist  church,  which  they 
have,  to  some  extent,  been  instrumental  in 
building.  Their  daughter,  Miss  Martha  El- 
len, is  a  young  lady  of  bright  intelhgence,  a 
literary  teacher  in  common  schools,  and  an 
efficient  Sunday  school  superintendent.  Esq. 
Carson  has  an  excellent  family  Mr.  John 
Reeves  married  their  daughter,  Miss  Fannie, 
and  Mr  Rufus  Pennington  married  another 
of  his  daughters.  Esquire  Carson  has  three 
other  accomphshed  daughters  and  one  son 
who  are  an  honor  to  parents  and  country. 

Captain  John  Cox  came  from  the  Valley  of 
Yirginia  to  Montgomery    county,   lived  there 


124  FOOT  PRIISTS  ON 

with  his  family  for  a  few  years  John  Craig 
married  his  sister,  Mary  Cox,  whose  son, 
Robt  C,  Craig,  was  a  member  of  congress  for 
a  number  of  years,  and  for  whom  Craig  county 
was  named  Oapt.  Cox  aad  family  moved 
from  Montgomery  county  to  Grayson  county, 
Va.,  and  settled  on  New  River,  aboutten  miles 
west  of  Grayson  Old  Court  House,  and  was 
hving  there  in  time  of  the  Revolutionary  war, 
Ele  was  a  Regulator,  commanding  a  company, 
and  was  called  upon  to  assist  in  keeping  order 
and  peace.  He  did  much  to  put  a  stop  to  bad 
conduct  and  Tory  depradations  After  the 
war  he  purchased  lands  ai  the  mouth  of  Cran- 
berry Creek,  on  New  River,  in  Ashe  county. 
He  was  an  energetic  business  man.  conducted 
a  large  farm  and  raised  stock.  He  lived  to  a 
good  old  age.  He  now  rests  in  bis  honored 
grav<3  on  the  same  farm  He  had  two  sons 
and  four  daughters,  Katlmrine,  Jane,  Ehzi- 
beth  and  Mary,  lames  and  Joshua  Joshua 
Cox  married  a  Miss  Richardson.  Elizabeth 
married  Thomas  McGinsey.  Katharine  mar- 
ried Henry  Hardin.  Jane  married  Cannady 
Richardson.  James  married  widow  Terrell, 
and  remained  in  Grayson  county.  Va  They 
had  one  son,  Solomon  Cox,  who  went  to  the 
eastern    i:>art    of    Kentucky,  and  was  a  lead- 


THE  SANDS  OF  TIME.  125 

ing  citizen  and  extexsive  live-stock  dealer. 
Joshua  Cox  came  with  parents  to  Cranberry 
and  married  a  Miss  Richardson,  wasafarmer 
and  raised  a  worth}" family.  Esquire  William 
Cox  married  Miss  Elizabeth  Reeves  who 
adorned  her  home  wi^h  all  that  constitutes  a 
good  wife,  kind  mother  andindustrioushouse 
keeper.  He  was  a  nice  farmer,  stock-raiser 
and  miller.  The^^  raised  an  enterprising,  in 
telligent  family.  Two  of  their  sons,  David  and 
Hiram,  were  honored  soldiers  in  the  Confed- 
erate army  and  were  killed  in  battle  It  is  a 
sad  comment  on  the  misfortunes  of  war  when 
the  brightest  and  best  young  men  immolate 
their  lives  on  their  country's  altar  in  defense 
of  its  constitutional  rights.  Their  son,  Levi, 
was  an  honored  soldier  in  the  Confederate 
army.  He  married  a  Miss  Miller,  a  most  ex- 
cellent woman — just  such  as  make  a  contented 
husband  and  happy  home.  The  lineal  de- 
scendants of  this  worthy  family  are  scattered 
through  m.any  of  the  Westernstates.  Joshua 
Cox's,  (St.)  daughter  married  William  Mulky, 
an  enterprising  and  weU  to-do  citizen  of  Indi- 
ana. Their  son,  Samuel  Cox,  was  an  indus- 
trious, persev^ering,  quietcitizen.  He  married 
Miss  Mary  Long,  daughter  of  John  and  Susan 
Long,  one  of  earth's  purest  and   best  women, 


126  FOOTPRINTS  ON 

Avlio  did  her  part  well  in  all  the  endearing  re- 
lations of  life  Their  oldest  son  was  a  prom- 
isino^  young  man,  apt  scholar,  remarkable 
mechanical  genius  and  a  srood  moral  character 
with  the  promise  of  a  bright  future,  while  re- 
turning from  preaching  one  Sabbath  evening, 
was  killed  by  lightning  conducted  by  the  aie- 
talic  poin  of  an  umbrella  he  was  holding  while 
a  heavy  shower  of  rain  was  falling. 

Solomon  V.  Cox,  son  of  Samuel  and  Mary 
Cox,  living  seven  miles  east  of  Jefferson,  is  an 
ext-nsive  farmer,  noted  for  his  active,  ener- 
getic perseverance  in  business  He  was  a 
r^^spected  and  honored  soldier  in  the  Confed- 
irate  army  Solomon  V  Cox  married  Miss 
M;iiy  Jane  Cox,  daughter  of  Dr  Aras  B.  and 
Phebe  E.  Cox.  An  obi-uary  published  in  The 
Alleghany  Stir,  August,  24th,  1899,  reads: 

"Mary  Jane  Cox  was  born  January.  13th, 
1^^46,  and  was  carried  by  angel  wa'ters  to  the 
home  of  the  soul,  August  7th,  1899,  age  53 
3'ears,  six  months  and  twenty -four  days. 
Her  parents  s^nt  her  to  Lenoir  Female  Col 
lege  where  she  obtained  a  liberal  education 
As  a  school  girl  <\ie  was  obedient  and  docile. 
Tn  1868  she  was  happily  married  to  S  V.  Cox, 
whicii  union  was  blessed  with  seven  children, 
six  girls  and  one  b  >y,  two  of  whom  preceeded 
her  lo  the  better  world.  At  the  early  age  of 
eight  years  siie  gave  h-^r  heart    t )    God    and 


THE  SANDS  OV  TIME.  127 

joined  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  South, 
m  which  she  i^emained  a  faithful  and  consis- 
tent member  until  the  Lord  said  'It  is  enouiil] 
come  up  higher  '  She  loved  her  church,  both 
in  doctrine  and  discipline,  and  was  a  liberal 
contributor  to  its  support,  Whatever  her 
church  asked  of  her  she  endeavored  to  do. 
She  was  always  anxious  for  the  appointmetit, 
whatever  it  might  be.  to  be  placed  in  full  and 
it  was  usually  done  She  loved  her  preachers, 
and  alwas  gave  the  very  bpst  she  had.  Her 
home  was  the  preacher's  home.  Oh,  how 
much  she  will  be  missed.  But  while  she 
loved  her  church  and  its  ministry,  she  was 
far  from  being  bigoted  and  narrow  in  her 
views  toward  other  denominations  ^he 
always  entertained  a  pleasant  feeling  and  had 
a  kind  word  for  her  sister  churches,  and  lent 
a  helping  hand  to  every  movement  that  had 
for  its  object  the  glory  of  God  and  the  better- 
ment of  humanity.  She  loved  and  took  ^n 
active  part  in  Sunday  school  work,  fillinor,  at 
times,  the  office  of  superintendent  One  of 
the  last  things  that  she  talked  about  was  the 
Sunday  school,  and  gave  her  daughter,  Mrs. 
Hart,  money  with  which  to  pur  chase  literature 
for  the  Sunday  school.  Sisier  Cox  was  an 
excellent  business  woman.  Her  husband'-^ 
business  was  such  that  it  kept  hiin  from  home 
m.uch  of  the  time,  consequently  the  cares  and 
responsibilities  of  the  home  lifedevolved  upon 
her,  which  she  managed  with  great  skill  and 
adaptability.     She  possessed   the  hapijy  lac- 


128  FOOT  PRINTS  ON 

ultv  of  making  friends  and  gaining  the  esteoni 
of  her  neighbors.  Her  lieighbors  are  her 
greatest  eulogists.  Those  who  knew  her  best 
loved  her  most.  She  was  no  respector  of  per- 
sons; she  treated  the  rich  and  the  poor  alike. 
She  never  turned  a  needy  one  empty  from  lier 
door.  She  loved  i^er  neighbors  and  assisted 
them  in  sickness,  comforted  ihem  in  sorrow 
and  when  they  were  in  want  administered  un- 
them.  This  noble  woman  is  gone.  We  laid 
her  to  rest  in  the  cemetery  at  Senter  church 
while  surrounded  by  a  large  assembly  of  loved 
ones,  to  await  the  resurrection  morn.  She 
leaves  an  aged  father,  a  devoted  husband,  five 
affectionate  children,  two  brothers  in  the  far 
West,  and  a  large  circle  of  friends  to  mourn 
their  loss.  Wm.  M.  Robbixs, 

'Her  Pastor." 

David  Cox,  brother  of  William  and  Sam- 
uel Cox,  married  a  Miss  Jones  and  moved  to 
Indiana.  These  two  large  families  and  tlieir 
lineal  descendants  are  scattered  through  the 
Western  states. 

There  are  several  villages  in  Ashe  county. 
Healing  Springs,  with  fine  bromide  mineral 
water,  a  splendid  place  for  a  summer  resort, 
for  health  and  comfort,  with  all  necessary 
buildings  for  families,  and  boarding-house 
entertainments.  Creston,  on  the  north  fork 
of  New  River,  is  a  pleasant  place,  with  stores 
and  family  residences      Laurel  Springs  is  an 


THE  SANDS  OF  Tl ME.  129 

ar^tive  place  of  business— a  trading  point — and 
has  a  school  building  and  churches.  Libertv 
Hill  and  Bellview  academies  are  in  the  eastern 
part  of  the  county. 

There  are  rich  deposits  of  magnetic  and 
othe  iron  ores,  co^^per  and  other  specimens  of 
metal. 

Captain  John  Dent  is  one  of  the  best  citi- 
zens, systematic  farmer  and  live-stock  raisers 
living  a  few  miles  east  of  Jefferson.  He  mar- 
ried a  Miss  Sanders,  of  Virginia,  a  worthy 
christian  lady  and  a  devoted  member  of  the 
M.  E  church.  Captain  Dent  is  also  one  of  the 
best  informed  men,  in  the  knowledge  of  min- 
erals and  modes  of  operating  and  working 
them,  in  the  county  or  state.  The  advance 
ment  of  all  that  pertains  to  temporal  and 
spiritual  interests  is  very  gratifying  and  gives 
psoffiise  to  Ashe  county's  worthy  people  of  a 
bright  future. 

There  are  many— very  many — good  peo- 
ple for  whom  weentertain  the  highest  respect, 
whose  worthy  and  faithful  lives  are  worthy  of 
entry  on  the  pages  of  history,  but  we  have 
not  the  space  within  the  limit  of  this  history 
The  author  of  these  sketches  is  thankful 
to  a  kind  Providence  for  a  home  twenty  four 
years  in  Alleghany  and  Ashe   counties.'  from 


130 


FOOT  PRllSTS  ON 


1845  to  1869,  and  the  associations  with  thegoo-d 
people  of  this  country. 

May  the  providence  of  an  all- wise,  infinite 
loving  Father  in  heaven  preserve  the  county 
in  peace,  prosperity  and  happiness  for  ages  to 
come. 


THE  SANDS  OP  TIME.  131 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

NORTH-WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA, 

Surry  County. 

Surry  county  was  formed  iu  1790  from 
Rowan  county  which,  untjl  said  date,  compre- 
hended a  large  portion  of  Western  North  Car- 
ohna,  from  beyond  the  Yadkin  to  the  Missip- 
pi  river.  Its  name  is  Saxon,  and  signifies  the 
Soutn  River.  Surry  county  is  situated  in  the 
north-western  portion  of  North  Carolina.  It 
is  bounded  on  the  north  by  the  Virginia  hne, 
east  by  Stokes  county,  south  by  Yadkin,  and 
west  by  Wilkes  and  Ashe. 

Its  capital  was  Rockford.  Population  in 
1880  was  15,294.  Thex>atriotism  of  the  women 
of  this  region  deserves  a  perpetual  record.  It 
Yv^as  their  heroic  conduct  that  inspired  their 
husbands  in    the    cause    of    liberty.       They 


132  FOOTPRINTS  ON 

urged  the  men  to  leave  liome,  and  prefer  to 
die  tliHTi  be  slaves,  while  they  stayed  at  home 
and  worked  with  their  own  hands  at  tlie  pltv.v 
and  with  the  hoe,  by  day,  to  provide  suste 
nince  for  their  famihes,  and  at  night  with  the 
spinning-wlieel  and  loom,  they  made  the 
clothing 

In  this  county  is  the  celebrated  Ararat. 
C)r  PiJot  Mountain  It  I'ises  gradually  to  the 
height  of  several  hundred  feet,  and  terminates 
in  a  flat  surface  Prom  its  summit  is  a  nobie 
vi^^w  of  the  surrounding  country.  Tlie  pro- 
ductions of  Sury  county  are  wheat,  rye,  corn, 
oats,  cotton,  potatoes  and  tobacco  Tije  first 
county  capital  has  been  changed  from  Rock- 
fo'd  to  Dobson,  named  in  hon  >r  of  VViJliam  P 
T)obson,  a  distinguished  citizen,  sta'e-man 
and  representative  Mt  Airy  and  Pilot 
Mountain  are  pr.)sperous  villages  in  the 
county,  each  containing  several  hundred  poj)- 
ulation  of  active,  enterprising  business  poo- 
]'le  Rev  Ke'ly  Boyer,  a  member  of  Western 
Novth  Carolina  Conference,  M  E  churoh 
Soutli,  is  stat'oned  at  Mt.  Airy  and  is  an  able, 
faithful  minister  of  the  gospel. 

Tj're  Glen  was  a  citizen  of  Surry  county, 
a  iwriu  whose  industry  and  economy  was  not 
often  equalled   nnd    n<'\o-  '^urpasvod.     He  ac- 


THE  SANDS  OF  TIME.  133 

quired  much  wealth  and  was  an  honor  to  his 
county.  William  P.  Dobson  and  w^orthy  fam- 
ily resided  in  Surry.  His  wife  was  an  amia- 
ble and  refined  lady.  Their  son,  Joseph  Dob- 
son,  was  a  lawyer  of  fine  talent,  an  honored 
member  of  the  bar,  was  representative  in  both 
branches  of  the  legi^lature,  a  true  patriot  and 
a  wise  statesman.  Col.  Joseph  Williams 
settled  in  this  county  before  the  Revolution 
ary  war.  He  was  distinguished  for  his  enter- 
prise, activity  and  patriotism  He  died  at  a 
good  old  age,  loved  and  respected  by  all  w^ho 
knew  him.  He  marrjed  Mis  Lanier,  a  w^oman 
of  strong  mind  and  exemplary  virtues  From 
this  marriage  sprang  Gen  Robt  Williams,  a 
man  of  distinguished  attainments  and  great 
research;  John  Williams,  distinguished  in 
Tennessee  at  the  battle  of  Horse  Shoe  between 
Gen.  Jackson  and  the  Creek  Indians— a  long 
and  desperate  battle.  He  married  a  sister  of 
Hugh  Law^son  White.  He  died  leaving  a  son 
Joseph,  whose  daughter  married  Hon.  R.  M. 
Pierson,  one  of  North  Carolina's  supreme 
court  judges.  Lewis  Williams  is  well  known 
in  history  as  a  patriot  and  statesman.  He 
was  a  member  in  the  House  of  Commons, 
elected  a  member  of  congress  in  1815,  served 
continuously  until  181:2.     He  died  in  congress, 


134  FOOT  PRINTS  ON 

Feb.  28rd,  1842.  There  are  ohers  of  the 
Wilhams  family  equally  distinguished  as  men 
of  talent  and  patriotism,  who  held  high  offices 
in  honor  to  themselves  and  satisfaction  to 
their  people. 

Jesse  Franklin  was  of  Surry  county.  He 
was  distinguished  for  his  sincere  patriotism, 
sound  sense andunassumingdeportment  In 
1794  he  v.^as  elected  a  member  of  the  House  of 
Commons;  in  1775  a  member  of  coTigress;  in 
1799  state  senator  from  Surry;  United  States 
senate  1807-1813  In  1820  he  succeeded  John 
Branch  as  Governor.  This  long  care?r  as  a 
public  servant  is  evidence  of  his  personal 
worth  and  popularity. 

Judge  J.  F.  Graves  was  the  grandson  of 
Hon  Jesse  Fran -din.  and  was  di>tinguished 
for  his  sound  judgem-nt,  moral  worth  and 
patriotic  love  of  country.  He  was  an  honored 
soldier  in  the  Confederate  army.  Judge  of  the 
second  district  superior  cout,  died  honored 
and  respected  as  one  of  North  Carolina's 
noblest  men, 

James  R  Dodge  was  a  successful  lawyer 
and  Clerk  of  the  supreme  court  He  married 
a  Miss  Williams  and  raised  and  educited  a 
worthy  family  of  children 

Gideon  Bryan   wis;  a  resident  of   Surry 


THE  SANDS  0¥  TIME.  135 

county,  an  earnest,  upright  citizen.  He  and 
his  family  honored  their  county.  Richard 
Gwyn,  of  Elkin,  was  notable  as  a  man  of  busi- 
ness, his  piety  and  devotion  to  religion  and 
the  advancement  of  Christ's  kingdom  on  earth, 
Surry  county  may  well  be  proud  of  her 
past  record  and  cherish  bright  hopes  for  the 
future. 


136  I^'OOT  PRINTS  ON 


CHAPTER  IX. 

NORTH-WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

Watauga  County. 

Watauga  countv  was  formed  in  1849  from 
Ashe,  Caldwell,  Wilkes  and  Yancy.  It  derives 
its  name  from  the  river  that  runs  through  it, 
an  Indian  name,  which  signifies  River  of 
Islands.  It  is  situated  in  the  extreme  north 
western  part  of  the  state,  and  is  bounded  on 
the  north  by  Ashe  county,  east  by  Wilkes, 
south  by  Yancey  and  McDowell,  west  by  the 
Yellow  mountains,  which  sejmrates  it  from 
Tennessee. 

Boone  is  the  capital,  named  in  honor  of  th^ 
c  lebrated  Daniel  Boone,  who  once  lived  near 
Ho! man's  Ford,  on  the  Yadkin  river,  about 
eight  miles  from  VVilkesboro  Col  Bo:)nehad 
for  a  tims  a  camp  i-.i  this  county,    also  one  in 


THE  SANDS  OF  TIME.  137 

Ashe,  on  Horse  creek.  The  south  fork  of 
New  river  runs  through  this  county. 

The  scenery  is  beautiful;  fine  forest  of 
timber,  towering  mountains,  green  valleys, 
crystal  streams  of  pure  cold  water,  lawns, 
shade  trees,  flowers,  and  fine  orchards. 

The  productions  are  wheat,  corn,  rye, 
oat«,  buckwheat  and  potatoes.  The  variety 
of  grasses  make  this  a  fine  grazing  section. 

Foone,  the  county  capital,  is  beautifully 
situated,  carefully  laid  out  for  convenience  in 
business  departments.  The  advantages  of 
water  power  are  many.  It  contains  valu- 
able minerals  in  iron  and  copper. 

It  was  here  in  North  Carolina  that  Boone 
was  raised;  here  his  youthful  days  were  spent, 
and  here  that  bold  spirit  was  trained  which 
so  fearlessly  encountered  the  perils  through 
which  he  passed  in  after  life.  His  fame  is  a 
part  of  her  property,  and  she  has  i ascribed 
his  name  on  a  town  where  his  youth  was 
spent. 

Connected  with  this  county's  history  is 
the  name  of  Gen.  James  Sevier.  He  did  much 
toward  defending  the  people  from  Indian  dep- 
radations  and  violence.  He  possessed  the 
qualifications  of  citizen,  soldier,  statesman 
and  patriot.     Such    men    deserve  a  conspic- 


183  FOOT  PRISTS  ON 

uous  jilace  in  history.  Gen  Sevier  was  c  >m- 
missioned  captain  by  Governor  Dunraore,  of 
Virginia,  and  loagbt  in  the  battle  of  Point 
Pleasant.  He  came  with  an  exploring  party 
to  the  Holston  river,  east  Tennessee,  then 
(1769)  a  part  of  North  Carolina,  and  directed 
the  construction  of  the  first  fort  on  the  Wa- 
tauga river.  While  defending  the  fort  he  dis 
covered  a  young  lady,  tall  and  erect,  coming 
towards  the  fort  pursued  by  Indians,  who 
counted  on  her  capture  as  they  passed  be- 
tween her  and  the  gate,  bat  turning  suddenly 
she  eluded  her  pursuers,  leaped  the  palisades 
and  fell  into  the  arms  of  Capt,  John  Sevier. 
This  remarkable,  active  and  resolute  woman 
wass  Miss  Katharine  Sherrill,  who  became 
the  wife  of  the  Colonel  and  the  bosom  friend 
of  the  General,  the  Governor,  the  people's 
patriotic  friend,  John  Sevier,  and  the  mother 
of  ten  children,  who  could  rise  up  and  caliber 
blessed  Their  son.  Rev  Elbert  Sevier,  was 
a  distinguished  minister  of  the  gospel  and  a 
member  of  the  Holston  Annual  conference, 
for  many  years  in  charge  of  circuit  stationsy 
and  Presiding  Elder 

The  history  of  Watauga  from  its  early  set- 
tlement reflects  honor  on  its  population.  They 
occupied  a  position  exposed  to  Indian   depre- 


THE  SANDS  OF  TIME.  139 

dation  on  one  side  and  Tories   on    the   other 
Many  distinguishel  families  have  hved  in 
Watauga  and  some  still  live  there.      Among 
the  number  are    Hortons,   Greens,   Counsels'^ 
Hardins,    Farthings.    Masts    and   Binghams,' 
Hon   Nathan  Horton  was  a   representative   in 
the  legislature  in  1800,    state    senate    1805-6. 
James  Horton  was  a  member  of  the  legisli- 
ture  in  1834,  and  J'  nathan  Horton  was  arso  a 
representative  in  the  legislature,     Noah  Mast 
and  Reuben  Mast  were  representatives  in  the 
legislature. 

John  Hardin  was  the  son  of  Henry  Har- 
din, one  of  the  early  settlers  of  the  county. 
He  married  Miss  Katharine  Cox,  daughter  of 
Captain  John  Cox,  of  Revolutionary  fame. 
Henry  Hardin  and  excellent  wife  lived  to  a 
good  old  age 

The  Horton  family  were  noted  for  their 
love  of  country  and  were  ever  read  v  to  defend 
it  in  the  hour  of  necessity  The  Masts  were 
early  settlers  of  Watauga,  firm  in  principle, 
and  true  to  their  country's  welfare 

There  were  four  Farthing  brothers,  min- 
isters of  the  gospel  in    the    Baptist    church, 
whose  lives  and  labors  in  the  cause  of  salva- 
tion as  a  band  of  earthly  brothers  and   broth 
ersmthe  spiritual  kingdom   of  the  world's 


140  FOOT  PRIMTS  ON 

Redeemer,  battled  against  the  powers  of  dark- 
ness and  held  up  the  standard  of  the  cross  of 
Christ  in  love  and  |3ower.  These  good  broth- 
ers'names  and  useful  lives  are  worthy  a  place 
on  the  pages  of  histor3^  Jordan  Councill  was 
a  worthy  citizen,  and  married  a  Miss  Bower, 
and  raised  a  family  that  honored  parents  and 
country.  William  B.  Councill  was  a  success- 
ful physician,  Jcimes  was  a  member  of 
the  State  convention  Miss  Bettie  Councill 
was  the  devoted  wife  of  Colonel  George  Polk, 
who  endeared  himself,  not  only  to  the  people 
of  his  county,  but  State,  for  the  interest  h3 
took  and  services  rendered  for  his  country. 
He  was  a  worthy,  good  man.  and  true  patriot. 

Judge  Green  was  a  native  of  Watauga,  a 
man  of  talents,  aud  distinguished  himself  as 
an  able  judge  of  law,  giving  general  satisftic 
tion  where  he  held  courts  throughout  the 
State.  Mr.  Allen  Green  and  family  are  wor- 
thy residents  of  the  county,  Mr  Bingham 
w^as  the  first  clerk  of  the  superior  court  of 
Watauga  county. 

Spencer  Blackburnisanative  of  Watauga 
a  young  man  of  talents,  who  has  made  quite  a 
reputation  as  a  successful  lawyer,  and   is  as- 
sociated with  Mr.  Councill,  of  the  same  county, 
in  the  practice  of  law,   and    has    an  office  a-t 


THE  SANDS  OF  TIME.  141 

Jefferson.  Welborn  Hardin,  son  of  Henry 
and  Katharine  Hardin,  was  one  of  the  county's 

best  cititizens.     He  married  Miss . 

Martin  Hardin,  hotel  keeper  at  Jefferson,  is 
their  son,  also  William  Hardin,  of  Sparta,  Al- 
leghany county,  now  deceased. 

There  are  several  objects  of  natural  scen- 
ery attached  to  Watauga  county.  The  Blow- 
ing Rock,  in  the  southern  par!}  of  the  county. 
Pine  preparation  is  made  to  entertain  visitors 
seeking  a  place  of  health  resort,  where  pure 
water,  salubrious  air,  and  dehghlful  scenery, 
lend  to  the  place  a  power  of  attraction  seldom 
equaled  or  excelled.  The  Grandfather 
mountain,  in  the  south  western  part  of  the 
county,  rises  in  sublime  grandeur,  a  great 
giant,  standing  amidst  the  floating  clouds, 
bidding  defiance  to  storms— a  monument  to 
the  works  of  nature's  God.  There  are  a  num- 
ber of  places  of  not^-  which  the  limits  of  this 
work  will  not  give  room  to  pubhsh.  Valle 
Oruisie,  some  miles  west  of  Boone,  wdiere  a 
college  w^as  commenced  and  abandoned,  is 
one  of  the  many  places  of  intetest. 

May  succeeding  generations  look  back  and 
honor  ancestors  and  enjoy  peace,  prosperity 
and  happiness. 


142  FOOTPRINTS  ON 


CHAPTER  X. 
NORTH-WESTERN^  NORTH  CAROLINA. 
Wilkes  County. 

Wilkes  county  was  lormed  in  the  year 
1777,  from  Surry,  and  called  in  honor  of  John 
VVilUes,  an  English  statesman.  It  is  situated 
in  the  extreme  north-west  portim  of  the  state. 
It  is  bounded  on  the  north  by  the  Blue  Ridge, 
which  separates  it  fr.»m  Ashe  county,  east  by 
Surry,  south  by  Alexander,  west  by  Asheand 
Watauga  counties 

Wiikesboro,  the  capital,  is  well  situated, 
conveniently  arranged  into  business  depart- 
ments. The  productions  are  corn,  wheat,  rye, 
oats,  potatoes,  sorgum  cine,  tobacco,  wooland 
cotton 

The  beautiful  range  of  Bushy  mountains 
on  the  south  and  towering  heights  of  tlie  Blue 


THE  SANDS  OF  TIME.  143 

Rido^e  on  the  north,  make  a  scene  of  almost 
unrivaled  grandeur.  Along  the  river  and  its 
tributaiy  streams  the  richest  lands,  yielding 
both  cereals  and  vegetables,  and  fine  groves 
of  timber,  oak,  poplar,  and  pine,  are  found. 
At  but  few  places  in  all  this  country  can  be 
found  finer  farming  lands  than  the  wide- 
spread bottoms  on  the  Yadkin  river 

Montford  Stokes,  long  a  resident  of  this 
county,  was  born  about  1760.     He  enteredthe 
Revolutionary  army,  was  taken  prisoner, near 
Norfolk,  and  for  seven  months  confined  on   a 
prison-ship.     For  a  number  of  years    he   was 
Clerk  of  Rowan  superior  circuit,  and  clerk  of 
the  senate,  where  he  enjoyed  such  popularity 
as  to  be  elected  senator  in  congress  two  terms. 
He  served  several  sessions  in  the   state  legis- 
lature, in  1826  and  1829  was  a  member  of  the 
Houseof  Commons,  and  again   in  1830,  when 
he  was  elected  Governor  of  the  state.     He  was 
appointed  by  Gen.  Jackson   Indian   agent  in 
Arkansas,  where  he  removed   and  lived   until 
his  death,    in    1812.       Gov.    Stokes     married 
Mary,  the  daughter  of  Col.    Henry  Irwin,  of 
Edgecome.     This     union    was    blessed    with 
several  children.     He  was  Major  of  the   North 
Carohna  regiment  in  the  la^e  war  with  Mexico. 
Col.    Benjamin    Cleveland,    the    hero    of 


144  FOOT  PRINTS  ON 

Kinor's  mountain,  and  after  whom  Clc-veland 
county  is  called,  was  a  brave  and  meri- 
torious officer,  and  was  the  hero  of  many 
tights  with  the  Tories. 

General  Wilham  Lenoir  r  -sided  ni  Wilkes 
county.  His  life,  character  and  services  have 
been  recorded  by  an  able  and  familiar  hand. 
The  following  is  extracted  from  the  Raleigh 
Register,  June  22nd,  1839,  and  recorded  in 
Wheeler's  history  of  North  Carolina,  froxxi 
which  the  following  is  taken : 

"This  venerable  patriot  and  soldier diedat 
his  residence  at  Fort  Defiance  in  Wi'kes 
county,  on  Monday,  Maj"  6th,  1^89,  aged  88 
years. " 

Gen  Lenoir  was  born  in  Brunswick,  coun- 
ty, Va.,  on  the  20t'o  of  May,  1751,  O.  S  .  and 
descended  from  poor  but  respectable  French 
ancestry.  When  about  eight  years  old  his 
father  removed  to  Tar  river,  near  Tarboro» 
N.  C.  where  he  resided  until  his  death,  wbidi 
happe'^-ed  shortly  after.  He  received  no  other 
education  than  such  as  his  own  personal  exer- 
tions permitted  him  t )  a<^quirc  When  about 
20  years  of  age  he  marrie  i  Miss  Ballard, a  lady 
po^se-sing  those  domestic  and  heroic  virtues 
which  qualified  her  for  su-tahiing  the  priva 
tion-  and  hardship  of   frontier  life,   which   it 


TEE  SA^'DS  OF  TIME.  145 

was  Ler  destiny  afterwards  to  encounter.  In 
1775  Gen.  Lenoir  removed  his  family  to  the 
county  of  Wilkes 

Col.  Find  ley  and  Col.  Gordon  were  early 
settlers  of  Wilkes.  They  deserve  the  highest 
praise  James  Gwyn  was  a  resident  of 
Wilkes,  owned  and  systematically  cultivated 
a  Urge  farm  on  Yaikin  river.  He  was  a  good 
citizen  and  raised  a  family  whose  piety  and 
devotion  to  Christianity  wiU  leave  fruits  to 
ripen  in  eternity. 

John  Alexander  lived  on  Roaring  river, 
near  the  Blue  Ridge,  and  was  a  good  citizen. 
His  wife  was  a  Miss  Thompson,  of  x\lleghany 
county.  They  raised  a  worthy  family.  Shu- 
by  Luncford,  of  Ashec  unty,  married  their 
daughter.  Miss  Nancy  Alexander.  Mr.  Hol- 
brcok  married  MissFannie Alexander,  another 
of  their  daughters 

H(m.  John  Q.  A.  Bryan  resides  at  Trap 
Hill.  He  was  a  memb-^r  of  the  convention  to 
amend  the  constitution  of  North  Carolina. 
He  served  as  an  officer  in  the  Union  army 
during  the  unfortunate  war  between  the 
states.  Col.  William  Barber,  of  Wilkes,  a 
meritorious  officer,  fell  in  the  Confederate 
army — sacrificed  his  life  for  the  loveof  liberty 
and  justice.     Peace  to  his  sleeping  dust. 


146  FOOT  PRl^^TS  ON 

The  Chronicle  is  edited  by  Robt.  Deal, 
and  published  at  Wilkesboro.  It  is  a  boldand 
fearless  advocate  of  the  principles  it  believes 
to  be  right.  The  Curfew,  pubhshed  at  Ab- 
sher,  is  a  neat  little  family  pa}j»er.  Mr.  ^mw- 
yer  is  publisher. 

Dr.  George  Doughton,  of  North  Wilkes 
boro,  is  a  successful  physician  and  owner  and 
proprietor  of  a  good  drug  store.  Rev.  Mr. 
Robinson,  a  Presbyterian  minister  is  stationed 
in  North  Wilkesboro,  and  has  served  th^  peo- 
ple faithfully  for  a  number  of  years. 

The  location  of  the  railroad  on  the  north 
side  of  the  Yadkin  river,  opposite  Wilkesboro, 
has  built  an  addition  to  the  town,  known  as 
North  Wilkesboro,  an  active  place  of  business. 

Dt.  James  Callaway,  an  eminent  phy.si- 
cian  and  statesman,  resided  a  number  of 
years  in  Wilkesboro.  His  first  wife  wis  a 
Miss  Carmichael,  and  his  second  wife  was 
Miss  Ann  Eacles.  They  raised  a  family  of 
intelligent,  enterprising  children. 

General.  James  B.  Gordon  was  a  pure 
patriot  who  loved  his  country  and  his  country 
loved  him.  He  commanded  a  brigade  in  the 
Confederate  army,  was  there  wounded  and 
died,  an  honor  to  his  country 

Col.  Sidney  Stokes  was  educated  at  West 


THE  SANDS  OP  TIME.  147 

Point      He  was  Maj.  of    the    North    CaroUna 
regiment  in  the  war  with  Mexico,   and   com 
manded  a  regiment  in  the  Confederate  ?a'my. 

The  Whitingtons,  Abshers  and  Colvards 
were  leading  famihes  and  worthy  citizens  of 
the  county.  Uncle  Isaiah  McGrady— as  he 
was  usually  called— lived  at  the  foot  of  the 
Blue  Ridge,  near  Mulberry  Gap.  He  and  hi« 
woi  th.3"  family  were  an  honor  to  their  country 
and  were  loved  and  respected. 

Wilkes  county  has  a  proud  record  and  a 
bright  future. 


us  FOOT  PRINTS  ON 


CHAPTER  XI. 

NORTH-WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA, 

Battle  of  King's  Mountain. 

One  of  the  most  important  events  }'ecord- 
ed  in  modern  history  was  the  victory  gained 
at  the  battle  of  King's  mountain. 

Cornwalhs,  commander-in-chief  of  the 
British  army,  expecting:  tlie  conquest  of 
North  CaroUna  to  follow  the  recovery  of  South 
Carolina,  spread  his  troops  to  repress  pa- 
triotic movements,  and  quickened  Tory  zeal 
on  the  left  wing  of  his  army,  with  Col.  Purgu- 
son.  an  officer  with  great  energy  and  courage, 
in  command  of  a  large  force  marching  toward 
the  Allegbanies. 

News  of  their  mov^ements  was  receive! 
in  north-western  North  Carolina  and  south- 
western Virginia.     Cols.  Benjamin  Cleveland, 


THE  SAIMDS  OF  TIME.  149 

Joim  Sevier, Isaac  Shelby,  Wm.  Campbell,  Mc- 
Dowel  !,WrD.  Lenoir  assembled  the  militia  from 
t"ie  valleys  of  the  Yadkin,  Holston,  Clincli 
and  >4ew  river,  each  commanding  their 
respective  regiments. 

The  country  had  to  rely  mainly  for  its 
defense  on  the  skill  and  military  genius  of 
brave  commanders  and  the  valor,  firmness 
and  integrity  of  the  mihtia  which  had  to  get  in 
readiness  in  quick  time  The  h'^nesty  of  pur- 
pose, the  appreciation  of  homes,  the  love  of 
families,  welfare  of  the  community,  the  free- 
dom from  oppressive  laws,  the  enjoyment  and 
possession  of  the  blessings  and  happiness  of 
inherited  rights,  will  ever  remain  as  garlands 
crowning  officers  and  soldiers 

These  gallant  officers  and  men  assembled 
in  readiness  to  march.  Col  Campbell  was 
placed  in  command.  After  a  rapid  march 
they  met  the  enemy.  Col.  Ferguson  had 
taken  position  on  King's  mountain,  near  the 
line  dividing  North  and  South  Carolina.  He 
stated  he  had  taken  a  position  from  which  the 
Almighty  could  not  drive  him.  In  order  to 
t  ike  the  British  command  by  surprise,  and 
before  Colonel  Ferguson  could  be  reinforce'!. 
Colonel  Campbell  and  his  brave  home-defend- 
ers sat  in  their  saddles  thirty  hours,  with  but 


150  FOOTPRINTS  ON 

few  minutes  i  liter  mission.  Arriving  at  the 
foot  of  the  mountain  at  day-hght  on  the  morn- 
ing of  October  7th,  1780,  they  dismounted  and 
marched  up  the  mountain,  after  a  fierce  con- 
flict, being  repulsed  three  times.  Colonel 
Ferguson  made  a  daring  attempt  to  break 
through  the  lines  and  was  slain.  One  hundred 
and  fifty  of  his  bravest  and  best  men  fell  be 
fore  the  mountaineers'  unerring  rifles  The 
survivors,  eight  hundred  in  number,  sur- 
rendered. Twenty -five  tories  were  hung. 
Tnis  battle  was  the  turning  point  of  the  war. 
It  crippled  Lord  Cornwallis*  army,  gave  Gen- 
eral Nathaniel  Green  time  to  get  his  com- 
mand ready  for  action.  The  battle  of  Guil- 
ford was  fought,  the  British  army  being  de 
feated.  Cornwalhs  surrendered  t)  General 
Washington,  at  Little  York,  V"a..  soon  after. 

General  Isaac  Shelby  was  originally  from 
Maryland,  and  was  with  his  father  at  the 
battle  of  Point  Pleasant,  'de  was  the  first 
governor  of  Kentucky,  in  1802,  and  again  in 
1812.  General  Wilham  Campbell  was  an  ofii- 
cer  of  distinction  and  promise.  He  died 
young  of  fever,  at  Hanover  Court  House,  Va  , 
on  his  way  tojoin  LaFayette,beforeYorktown. 
General  John  Sevier  was  of  French  descent 
He  was  in  the  battle  of  Point  Plea-ant  He 
was  Governor  of  the  transitory  state  of 
b^rankland     and  first  governor  of  Tennessee. 


THE  SANDS  0¥  TIME,  151 


CHAPTER  XII. 

NORTF-WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA, 

Life  of  the  Author  and  His  Wife 

I,  Aras  B.  Cox,  was  born  in  Flo3^d  county, 
Va.,  January  25th,  1816.  My  parents  owned 
a  farm  on  Beaver  Cjeek,  where  they  enjoyed 
Hfe  in  quietude  and  cheerfulness.  I  was  edu- 
cated in  the  common  schools  of  the  country, 
such  as  it  afforded  at  that  time.  I  attended 
school,  accompanied  by  my  elder  sister,  Eliza 
beth,  when  in  my  sixth  and  seventh  years. 
William  Barton,  an  old  crippled  man,  was  my 
teacher.  My  parents  took  much  interest  in 
educating  their  children,  as  far  as  they  were 
able.  The  love  manifested,  the  toils  endured, 
the  continual  care  exercised  by  the  kindest  of 
parents  for  their  family's  welfare,  will  re- 
main embalmed  in  sacred  memory  until  the 


ir)2  FOOT  PRINTS  ON 

far-ult-es  of  perception  fades  from  this  mortal 
body.  I  had  five  brothers  Tloyd,  Ross,  I  r- 
dan,  Henry  and  James,  and  two  sisters,  Sarnh 
and  Ehzabeth  In  1824  rr.y  father  so'd  his 
land  and  bought  other  land  in  the  western 
part  of  the  county.  The  charms  of  that  love'y 
home,  the  large  spring  of  cleai-,  cold  water, 
the  surrounding  hills,  and  n-arby  beautiful 
pine  groves  and  fine  orchard  of  de'icious 
fruit,  with  generous,  good  neiarhbors,  made 
life  worth  the  living. 

I  began  teaching  school  when  1^^  years  of 
age— v:orking  on  the  farm  in  summer  and 
teaching  in  winter,  studying  books  at  home  at 
night.  My  mind  was  seriously  impressed  in 
early  hfe  with  the  importance  of  living  relig- 
irmsly. 

When  but  a  boy  I  was  working  in  a  fi  Id 
when  the  wind  blew  a  tree  oi  the  horse  [  vras 
I  lowing  and  crushed  him  to  t!ie  earth  I 
narrowly  esc  J  red  being  crub>hcd  myself.  In 
early  life  I  made  a  trip  tolndiana,  going  down 
the  Ohio  riv  er  on  a  flat  boat,  and  was  caught 
in  a  terribi*^  storm  above  Cincinnati.  With 
great  difficulty  the  boat  Avas  <-aved  from  sink- 
ing and  roweci  to  shore.  I  feltit  was  thro 'gh 
a  divine  Providence  f'^a?  I  still  lived. 

in  1841,  in  jDartnership  with  a.  cousin,  Asa 
Bishop,  bought  a  farm  in  Carroll  county,  Va. 


TEE  SANDS  OFTlME.  153 

AVe  sold  oiw  possessions  after  makiijg  one 
crop -not  admiring  bachelor  life 

In  1841  I  began  reading  medicine  under 
Dr.  Mark  D.  Stone  man,  as  ]jreceptor,  an 
able  physician  ahd  esteemed  friend. 

In  the  spring  of  1842  I  took  a  sad  ^eave  of 
the  lov^d  horiie  of  my  youth  and  went  to  Bri- 
dle Creek.  Grayson  county,  Va.  to  teach 
school,  when  the  early  sei tiers  of  that  com- 
munity had  establi^had  a  state  of  society 
where  i3r.jsperity  and  happiness  were  richly 
enjoyed",  and  the  triumphs  of  christian  relig- 
ion are  spreading  their  balmy  wings  over  a 
fine  church  edifice,  academy  of  learning  and  a 
prosperous  peopl-^.  We  spent  most  of  the 
time  of  three  years  here  teaching  and  dealing 
in  live  stock,  and,  when  an  o pportunity  afford- 
ed, in  reading  and  studying  the  science  of 
medicine.  Our  stay  with  these  good  people 
was  pleasant,  and  is  remembered  as  a  green 
plat  by  a  crystal  spring  beneath  a  cooling 
shade  where  I  rested  while  on  life's  journey, 

I  had,  |.)revious  to  this  time,  sought  for- 
giveness of  my  sins  and  regenerating  «^race, 
and  felt  that  God  gave  me  peace  and  pardoned 
and  converted  my  soul  I  went,  in  company 
with  my  esteemed  uncle,  Rev.  Henry  Bishop, 
to  Nev\^  Rope  church,  in  Montgomery   county, 


15i  FOOT  PRINTS  O-^ 

Va  ,  and  Avas  received  into  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church  by  Rev  Zane  Bland,  preach- 
er in  charge.  June,  1842,  and  was  licensed  as 
a  local  preacher,  unde^  recommendation  of 
quariedy  conference,  at  Hillsville,  Va  ,  by 
P.  E  Th-masK   Catlett,  April  1848. 

Oil  the  23rd  of  February,  1845,  I  was 
mai  ried  to  Phebe  Edwards,  whose  piety  as  a 
faithful,  good  wife,  threw  across  life's  path- 
way a  mehow  light  of  love  and  joy.  AVe  set- 
tlfd  in  Alleghany  coun'y,  at  that  time  Ashe 
county.  My  wi  e's  father  died  when  she  was 
three  yeirs  of  age.  Her  widowt  d  mothe  ■:  had 
been  confined  by  paralysis  for  several  years 
and  could  not  walk  Our  residence  was  near 
where  my  wife  could  be  with  her  a  part  of  the 
time  until  1851,  when  Mrs  Jane  Edwards, 
who  ]  ossessed  more  than  ordinary  talents, 
after  a  hfe  of  christian  precept  and  example, 
and  unceasing  toil  in  the  wise  management  of 
business  for  the  welfare  of  her  family  and 
friends,  patient'y  and  peacefully  }  assed  away 
in  June,  1851,  and  was  buried  in  the  family 
graveyard  by  the  side  of  her  deceased  hus- 
b:ind.  David  Edwards,  who  preceded  her  to 
the  <? rave  21  years. 

In  1849  I  was  elected  Clerk  of    ihe    supe- 
rior court  ( f  Ashe  county,    when    Ashe    and 


THE  SANDS  OF  TIME.  155 

Alleglary  were  one  county,  and  in  1853  was 
reelected  to  tne  same  office. 

I  sold  my  farm  in  Alleghany  county  and 
bought  a  iaiger  one  seven  miles  east  of  Jeffer- 
son and  moved  there. 

In  1852  my  parents  left  Floyd  county, 
Va.,  and  came  to  live  with  us.  Mt  Zion  was 
our  church  and  place  of  membership  In  the 
fall  of  1847  I  was  ordained  deacon  by  the  ven- 
erable Bishop,  James  O.  Andrew,  at  Jones - 
boro,  Tenm.  and  in  1847  was  ordained  Elder 
by  Bishop  John  Early,  at  Marion,  Smith  coun- 
ty, Va.  During  all  these  years  much  of  my 
time  was  actively  employed  in  practicing 
medicine  and  surgery. 

In  1861  the  unfortunate  war  between  the 
states  spread  itsdaik  cloud  over  the  country. 
The  brightest,  purest  and  best  young  men 
entered  the  Confederate  ai-my.  I  was  in  the 
service  most  of  ihe  war  as  captain  and  chap- 
lain. The  war  was  a  sad  calamitj^.  The 
Southern  people  hones tl}^  believed  the  princi- 
ples of  the  constitution  were  disregarded  and 
their  just  rights  denied  them.  But  secession 
was  not  the  proper  source  of  redress.  Such 
conflicts  are  enough  (were  such  a  thing  possi- 
ble) to  make  the  guardian  genius  of  American 
liberty  shed  tears  of  blood.      Reconstruction, 


156  FOOTPRINTS  ON 


Dn.  Aras  B.  and  Wife,  Phebe  E.  Cox. 


THE  SANDS  OF  TIME.  157 

in  many  things,  did  the  Southern  states  great 
injustice.  We  suffered  a  pecuniary  loss,  the 
fruits  of  years  of  toil  and  hard  labor,  from 
which  we  never  fully  recovered.     . 

In  the  fall  of  1869  we  moved  to  Hamburg. 
Iowa,  where  I  had  an  extensive  practice  in 
medicine,  part  of  the  time  associated  with  Dr. 
Thomas  H.  Bragg,  a  graduate  of  Rush  Medi- 
cal college,  of  Chicago.  He  was  a  worthy 
christian  gentleman.  Here,  with  the  help  of 
my  son  Charles,  I  farmed  for  some  years. 

Moses  U.  Payne,  a  local  preacher,    mem- 
ber of  the  M.  E,  church  South,  was  a  man  of 
wealth  and  deep  piety.     Soon  after   our  arri 
val  at  Hamburg  Mr   Payne,  having  much  land 
on  Mission  river  bottom,   brought  his   family 
there  to  live,  and  assisted  us  in  organizing  the 
first  class  in  the   Methodist   church  in   that 
part  of  south-western   Iowa  and  north  west- 
ern Missouri — the  corner  of  the  states  joining. 
The  good  people  of  that  rich  farming  countr}^ 
helped  us  build   in  Hamburg  a  fine   church. 
Rev.  M.  U.  Payne  gave  ^500.00  toward   build- 
ing the  church        The    church    edifice    cost 
$2,700.     Dr.  Miller,  professor  in  Howard    b'e 
male  College.  Payetteville,  Mo.,  preached   the 
dedicatory  sermon  to  a  large  and   attentive 
congregation.     Rev.  O   Howell  was    our  first 


158  FOOT  PRINTS  ON 

Presiding  Elder  and  Bev.  John  S  Rooker  was 
preacher  in  charge  for  the  conference  year. 
I  traveled  as  a  snpply  on  the  new  circuit,  of 
Rock  Port,  St.  Joseph  district  Mission  con- 
ference one  year  During  our  year's  service 
we  added  some  new  appointments,  making  a 
four  weeks'  circuit  with  fifteen  preaching 
stations.  It  is  pleasant  to  recollect  our  asso- 
ciations with  the  good  people  of  that  country. 
Granville  H.  Cox  and  worthy  family  moved 
from  Virginia  to  Atchison  county.  Mo.,  and 
did  much  for  the  church  He  and  his  good 
christian  wife  have  gone  to  reap  a  rich  reward 
in  the  better   world 

In  the  sprir.g  of  1881,  while  w^e  were  hv^- 
ing  on  Mission  river  bottom,  in  Atchison 
county,  Mo  ,  a  great  flood  came  and  the  river 
spread  from  seven  to  t-^^n  miles  wide.  We 
lost  fencing  and  other  property  and  the  land 
washed  over  and  partly  ruined.  Weleft  there 
in  1882  and  moved  to  Madison  county,  Neb  , 
sold  our  property  there,  and,  in  company  with 
our  three  sons,  Edw^ard,  diaries  and  Albert, 
moved  to  Blaine  county,  in  1885,  and  located 
homes  on  Buffalo  Flats.  In  these  changes  of 
homes  in  different  states  the  Lord  was  very 
good  to  us  amid  scenes  of  danger,  sickness 
and  death. 


.  THE  SANDS  OF  TIME.  159 

In  the  practice  of  medicine,  traveling  in 
extremely  cold  weather  almost  continually, 
cbillint^  the  blood  in  my  eyes,  produced  cata 
ract.  I  was  totally  blind  from  1888  to  1891. 
During  these  three  years  my  wife  read  a  chap- 
ter from  the  Bible  regularly  each  night,  and 
we  would  have  family  prayer.  In  June  Dr. 
Gifford,  of  Omaha,  extracted  the  discolored 
crystaline  lens  from  my  right  eye.  With 
magnifying  glasses  I  now  can  read  and  write. 
Dr.  Gilford  is  a  distinguished  occuhst,  and 
one  of  earth's  noblest  and  best  men,  whose 
su  perior  genius  and  skill  has  made  many 
hearts  glad. 

Our  son,  Edward  M,  Cox,  and  family  live 
in  Oregon.  The  letters  from  their  children 
give  evidence  of  christian  instruction  and  re- 
hgious  influence  Dr  C.  B  Cox  and  family 
live  in  Brewster,  Blaine  county.  Neb  ,  and  are 
examples  of  industry,  economy  and  perse- 
verance. 

Our  oldest  son  was  born  on  the  18th  day 
of  December,  1847,  professed  religion  when 
but  a  boy,  was  a  good,  quiet  boy  at  home  and 
at  school  He  was  a  drummer  at  the  camp  of 
instruction  of  the  Confederate  army,  at 
Raleigh,  when  thirteen  j^ears  of  age  He  was 
attending  school  in    Allegbanj^  county   when 


1  eo  FOOT  prl:^ts  os 

attac'red  with  diptheria,  and.  after  suffering 
patiently  for  several  weeks,  he  died  on  the 
nth  day  of  March,  1864. 

Albert  S.  A.  Cox,  our  youngest  son,  a 
student  in  Marion  Sims'  Co'lege  of  Medi- 
cine, St,  Louis,  Mo.,  di-  don  the  22nd  day  of 
January,  1891.  His  death  was  a  sad  loss  to 
his  aged  parents.  He  was  a  good  boy  and 
died  in  full  assurance  of  a  happy  home  in 
heaven. 

Our  oldest  child  and  only  daughter,  Mary 
Jane,  was  born  Jan.  ihe  13th,  1864,  professed 
religion  when  eight  yeirs  of  age,  joined  the 
Methodist  church  South,  was  one  of  its  most 
faithful  members,  and  a  warm  advocat  *of  and 
faithful  w^orker  in  Sunday  school.  She  was 
hapjaly  married  to  Solomon  V.  Cox,  her  now" 
bereaved  husband,  Oct  the  9th,  1865.  Her 
life  was  spent  in  doing  good.  She  possessed 
an  extraordinary  capacity  for  business.  Her 
unceasing  toil  and  kind  care  of  her  family  her 
social  friendship  and  genial  kindness  tofr  lends 
and  neighbors  will  not  soon  be  forgotten. 
After  suffering  patiently,  with  great  resig- 
nation, on  the  7th  dav  of  August,  1899,  her 
spirit  took  its  flight  from  its  earthly  tenement 
to  join  l(jved  ones,  where  the  ble-sed  Savior 
said,  •'!  go  toprepnre  a  place  for  you,  that 
where  I  am  ye  may  be  also. " 


THE  SANDS  OF  TIME,  161 

Phtfbe  E.  Cox  was  born  in  Alleghany 
county,  N.  C  ,  April  2nd,  1825,  the  daughter  of 
David  and  Jane  Edwards.  Her  father  died 
when  she  was  three  years  of  age.  The  pious 
counsel  of  a  godly  mother  impressed  her 
young  mind  with  the  importance  of  religion, 
and,  when  but  a  girl,  she  professed  religion 
in  a  camp-meeting  held  at  Wilson  camp- 
ground, Grayson  county,  Va  ,  and  joined  the 
Methodist  chrch,  in  w^hich  she  hved  a  devoted 
member  until  her  death. 

On  the  23rd  day  of  February,  1846  she 
was  united  in  marriage  to  Aras  B.  Cox  and 
settled  in  Alleghany  county.  Our  church 
membership  was  at  Mt  Zion.  afterwards  re- 
moved to  Ashe  county  and  united  in  a  class  at 
a  school  house  near  where  Liberty  Academy 
now  stands. 

During  the  unfortunate  war  between  the 
states  she  passed  through  many  sad  trials  and 
hardships  with  pecuniary  loss  In  1869  the 
family,  composed  of  Mrs.  Cox,  her  husband 
and  three  sons,  moved  to  Hamburg,  Iowa, 
leaving  their  only  daughter,  Mary  Jane,  wife 
of  Solomon  V.  Cox,  in  North  Carolina.  In 
1882  she,  with  husband  and  two  sons,  re- 
moved to  Madison  Cvounty,  Neb.,  remaining 
there  three  years  and  then    moved   to   Blaine 


162  FOOT  PRINTS  ON 

county,  Neb.,  and  located  homes  on  Bffalo 
Flats  There  was  no  church  here,  but  the  St. 
Louis  Advocate,  as  she  often  remarked,  filled 
the  place  of  Southern    Methodist    preaching. 

In  October,  1892,  she  received  a  shock  of 
paralysis  and  remained  in  feeble  health  until 
the  6th  day  of  tlie  following  October,  she  was 
attacked  with  strangulated  hernia.  The  best 
medical  skill  was  called  to  affm-d  rehef  but  in 
vain.  The  sainted  wife  and  mother,  the  kind- 
hearted  neighbor,  and  faithful  member  of  the 
church  lingered  until  Wednesday  morning, 
the  11th  day  of  October,  1893,  when  tlie  spirit 
left  its  earthly  h'>use  to  assume  its  glorified 
state  and  to  join  loved  ones  in  praise  and  ado- 
ration of  her  Savior  forever. 

During  her  suffering  no  words  of  murmur 
were  heard.  She  told  her  husband  not  to 
weep,  that  they  would  not  be  separat  ^d  long. 
She  often  spoke  of  the  satisfaction  it  aff  )rded 
her  in  waiting  on  her  husband  when  he  was 
blind.  Her  husband  had  donated  a  lot  on 
the'r  homestead  for  a  cemetery,  where  her 
body  rests  beside  that  of  her  son,  Albert,  (who 
died  while  a  student  at  Marion  Sims'  College 
of  Medicine)  to  await  the  summons  of  tlie  res- 
urrection morn 


^.'X'Jr.: 


